Fresh from produced the fastest half marathon in the world this year with Antrim Coast event in Northern Ireland, Daniel Mateiko will be making his debut in marathon when he lines up at the Chicago marathon, one of the world Marathon Majors in the world in the United States of America come October 8th.
The 25 who clocked 58:36 for victory ahead of Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer has been competing in both track and half marathon, said that the world should expect surprising results in Chicago despite having top notch world marathoners chasing for the crown.
“Yes, this is my first time to run a marathon and a major one. This means I have to work extra hard to keep up the pace,” he said
He explained that he made a good run while pacing at the London marathon early this year where Kelvin Kiptum ran the second fastest marathon in the world.
“I had good pacing at the London marathon where I quit at 30km, just 12km remaining. Some race organizers saw what I could do. At the same time, I have a very good management that looks for great races for their athletes,” he said.
After finishing second at the Kip Keino Classic last year, he went ahead to finish in position eight at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The inaugural Eldama Ravine Half marathon champion said the training is so intense to conquer the world.
The Ras Al Khaimah half marathon silver medalist missed out to represent Kenya at the 2021 Olympic Games after finishing 6th during the national trials.
“Expect good things from me. Right now, I am preparing very well when I received the invitation,” he added.
Having the personal best time standing at 58:26 set during his third position at the Valencia Half marathon last year, Mateiko has set the goal of improving on his time too.
The 25 year old went ahead to finish third at the Valencia Half marathon in 58:26, Copenhagen third after timing 59:25, RAK in 6th position in 58:45 and Ravine half marathon.
He will be facing off with defending champion Benson Kipruto where on Tuesday, the organizers of the race announced elite athletes for both men and women.
Led by race director Carey Pinkowski , said that the race has been home to world-records, historic debuts and has served as an introduction to runners who became legends of the sport.
“As we prepare to celebrate a landmark year in the race’s history, we anticipate historic performances that we will talk about for years to come,” said Pinkowski
Kipruto will be at the starting line-up in the men’s race to defend his title after winning last year in 2:04:24, the fourth fastest time ever in Chicago.
Should Kipruto win again, he’ll be the first back-to-back men’s open field champion since the late Sammy Wanjiru in 2010.
Others are London marathon champion Kelvin Kiptum who will make his U.S. marathon debut after he withdrew from the Kenyan marathon for next month’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, is the second man in marathon ranking at 2:01:25, just 16 seconds shy of Eliud Kipchoge’s world record.
Olympic Games marathon bronze medalist Bashir Abdi of Belgium. Abdi also won the Rotterdam Marathon. Former champion Seifu Tura of Ethiopia, who returns for the third consecutive year after finishing second last year.
Men
- Kelvin Kiptum (KEN)- 2:01:25
- Bashir Abdi (BEL) -2:03:36
- Benson Kipruto (KEN)- 2:04:24
- Dawit Wolde (ETH)- 2:04:27
- Seifu Tura (ETH)- 2:04:29
- Daniel Do Nascimento (BRA)- 2:04:51
- John Korir (KEN)- 2:05:01
- Galen Rupp (USA)- 2:06:07
- Huseydin Mohamed (ETH)-2:05:05
- Milkesa Mengesha (ETH)- 2:05:29
- Conner Mantz (USA)- 2:08:16
- Yuki Matsumura (JPN)- 2:09:01
- Takashi Ichida (JPN)- 2:09:15
- Kei Katanishi (JPN)- 2:09:27
- Masashi Nonaka (JPN)- 2:09:47
- Matt McDonald (USA)- 2:09:49
- Mick Iacofano (USA)- 2:09:55
- Masaki Tuda (JPN)- 2:10:40
- Mizuki Higashi (JPN)- 2:11:04
- Colin Mickow (USA)- 2:11:22
- Frank Lara (USA)- 2:11:32
- Dan Kremske (USA)- 2:14:53
- Daniel Mateiko (KEN) Debut
- Wesley Kiptoo (KEN)- Debut