Recovered from calf injury, three time Toronto Waterfront Marathon champion Philemon Rono will be making his debut at this year’s Mumbai marathon set for next Sunday in Mumbai, India.
Popularly called the baby police due to his height and body size, Rono said he is preparing well for the race in his first outing of the year.
“I missed last year’s last season because of an injury but right now, I have healed in readiness for the race,” said Rono based at the Global Sports Communication (GSC) in Kaptagat.
Rono, who won the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Toronto marathon will be up against defending champion Derara Hurisa from Ethiopia when he clocked 2:08.09 with a course record that had been held by Kenya’s Gideon Kipketer in 2:08.35.
“I have been preparing well for the race and come that Sunday, I want to have a better time in India. I have competed in some half marathons in the country but this time, I am heading there for my first marathon. I ran New Delhi and Bangalore races,” he added.
Rono remains the Canadian all-comers’ record holder in marathon Rono when he won the 2019 edition with 2:05.00.
Hurisa will be accompanied by compatriots, the 2009 World Junior Cross Country Champion Ayele Abshero and former Boston marathon champion Hayle Lemi.
Abshero, who was second behind Hurisa at this event last year, comes to this race with the fastest time of 2:04.23 set at the 2012 Dubai Marathon with victory.
Rono, who is Popularly called ‘baby police’ due to his small body as a police officer, established himself globally as a pacemaker, pacing for former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang (2:03.23). The 31 year-old trains alongside Eliud Kipchoge, Abel Kirui, Laban Korir, Augustin Choge among others.