Double Virgin London marathon champion Wilson Kipsang was optimistic that Kenyan runners like Eliud Kipchoge, Abel Kirui, Bedan Karoki may win the title but they should be prepared to face the weather condition that may pose a great challenge.
Just like what happened in Boston marathon on Monday, Kipsang said the invited runners have the potential to be winners of the race, which has the best marathoners across the world.
“I know many Kenyan athletes who are well prepared for the race and everybody is very strong and everybody has the potential to win. But the main challenge for marathoners is the weather. Sometimes it may very cold and hot but the goodness is the pacesetters,” said Kipsang.
The former world marathon record holder said they the course has pacesetters unlike in Boston but the main challenger will be the weather.
In Boston, Kenyans failed to dominate in one of the mostly Kenyan race but Japanese international Yuki Kawauchi took home the title in men’s race followed by defending champion Geoffrey Kirui.
“My comment on Boston, it was really hurting since I watched from the start having run so many races very well, the results were because of weather. The weather didn’t favour Kenyans because many parts of Europe and America were in winter,” added the 2017 Tokyo marathon champion.
He said that those athletes who comes and trains in such cold weather enjoyed the race unlike Kenyans who have been training in hot areas or cool regions where there is such weather.
“Such athletes are highly disadvantages to others like the doesn’t favour an athlete who is top a 2:02 and 2:03 runner.The weather favoured athletes like Yuki Kawuchi who has been training in Japan with the same weather, so for him to win with 2:18 it was normal. It was so disappointing for us. And we need to research in such areas before competing. How can a Kenyan win a race with 2:18,” questioned Kipsang.