Kenya’s Marius Kipserem and Stella Barsosio will be the key highlight at this Sunday’s Rotterdam marathon in the Netherlands.
After missing podium finish at the London marathon last month, Kipserem will be chasing his third title of the race with his personal best of 2:04.11 he set in 2019.
The 33 year-old, Kipserem will be up against Olympic games marathon bronze medallist Bashir Abdi the Somalia, European silver medallist Champion in 10,000m and European marathon record of 2.04.16 Kaan Kigen Ozbilen, Ethiopians Solomon Deksisa, Emmanuel Saina, Dubai Marathon and Gideon Kipketer, Ethiopian Dawit Wolde of 2:06.18, Kebede Tulu of 2:06.32 and Limenih Yizengaw of 2:06.47, John Langat, Asefa Tefera Mengisa, Cyrus Mutai of 2:10.28 and Titus Kipruto of 2:12.43.
The battle will women will include Barsosio and Bornes Kitur (2:21.26) who debuted in Rotterdam in 2015 has so far participated in ten marathons and this will be her eleventh
Barsosio comes to this race with a personal best of 2:23.34 and this will be her eleventh marathon. The 28 year-old will battle for the top honors as she faces her fellow country-mate to try and lower the race course record of 2:18.58 that was set by Tiki Gelana from Ethiopia in 2012.
Other race favorites includes Nataliya Lehonkova from Ukraine who holds a personal best of 2:28.58, Norway’s Runa Skrove Falch of 2:33.52, Sweden’s Louise Wiker carries on her shoulder a time of 2:36.29 and Dutch athletes Jacelyn Gruppen of 2:52.17 and with Marijke Visser making her debut.