Former World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto and Delvine Meringor will be chasing for Chemususu Dam Half marathon title that gets down this Saturday in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.
According to the Race Director and former Olympic Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Mathew Birir, Kimetto will be running the 21km as part of his training ahead of New York Marathon.
“We had a lengthy discussion with him (Kimetto) and assured me that he will be competing in the 21km race. He said the race will be good for him as he prepares for New York City marathon,” said Birir who won gold in the 1990 world junior 3,000m title.
Kimetto won the 2014 Berlin marathon with a world record of 2:02.57 that was latter lowered by Eliud Kipchoge to 2:01.39 in 2018 during the same race.
Birir added that they have dropped 10km race.
Also focus will be on Meringor who will be targeting back to back title following her victory last year.
The then little known Meringor won her maiden 21km title in 73:21 edging out elite runners like Valentine Jepketer, Ruth Jebitok, a former world half marathon bronze medalist Paskalia Jepkorir among others.
Following the victory, Meringor went ahead to win the Madoka Half marathon two months later in Taita Taveta.
“I am ready to defend my title and knowing very well that there will be a classy line up and heavy competition on the course but that will not deter my ambitions,” she said.
Following the victory of the two races, Chemususu and Madoka, Meringor got her maiden outing to compete at the Houston half marathon where she finished second with her best time of 67:48.00 finishing in 6th position.
“My time was good in Houston and I want to build on that to ensure that I make a mark in the distance. My training is going on well, expecting good results on Saturday,” added Kaptagat based runner under coach Elijah Mutai.
In November, she finished second at the Ndalat Gaa Cross country championships in 28:05.0 behind the winner Sandra Chebet who timed 27:53.8 while Norah Jeruto completed the podium in 28:16.2.
Story: The Star Newspaper