Former Boston marathon champion Caroline Rotich and Okpekpe 10km silver medalist Elvis Kipchoge Chebi will lead Kenyans at the Sunday’s Toronto waterfront marathon set for Sunday in Canada.
Rotich, who has been dominating in major road running races, will be the only Kenyan women runner in a field full of Ethiopian top athletes in the chase for the title.
Enjoying 2:23.22 as personal best set in 2012 at the Chicago marathon, Rotich has had a good run in the road races, winning the Las Vegas marathon in 2009 in 2:29.47.
She also won the Boston half marathon in 2010 before winning the New York City half marathon.
She also won the 2012 Prague marathon before the 2012 Boston marathon victory in 2:24.55.
The Kenyan, according to the starting lineup, she lies 8th with Ethiopian Afera Godfay (2:22.41), Meseret Gebre (2:23.11), Gada Bontu Bekele (2:23.39), waganesh Mekaasa (2:23.45), Fozya Jemal Amid (2:25.09), Buze kejela (2;28.06) and American Emily Durgin.
Cheboi, who has been finishing second and third in many races, will be hoping to improve on his positioning when he lines up at the race.
The Baringo based runner will lead Kenyans like Alfred Kipchirchir Mukche, who will be making his debut in the 42km distance as well as Julius Mwangi who will be debuting in marathon.
Cheboi enjoys his personal best of 2:10.21 after finishing 7th at the 2023 Vienna City marathon is dominated by Ethiopians, enjoying best time on the start list.
Adugna Takele is the race favourite with 2:05.52 set in the Seville marathon followed by Yohans mekasha 92:07.19), Mengistu Zelalem (2:07.56), Abdela Godana (2:08.44).