Barsosio out as Haydar headlines Istanbul women's marathon

In the absence of Nairobi Marathon champion Agnes Barsosio who has been forced to sit out of the Istanbul Marathon due to injury, home runner and national record holder Sultan Haydar headlines the women's elite field for the Sunday 6 November race. 

The Turk is the fastest on the elite list with her personal best of 2:24:44. Seven women entered into the 44th edition of the N Kolay Istanbul Marathon have PBs of sub 2:28.

Record times are not targeted in the women’s race with the 2:18:35 course best from Ruth Chepngetich out of reach. 

Kimutai, Kosgei set to light up Istanbul Marathon with records in mind

Two Ethiopian runners who clocked their personal bests this spring are now among the top favourites.

Sechale Dalasa who won the Rome Marathon in 2:26:09 and Melesech Tsegaye who was fourth in Milan with 2:24:47. 

An athlete who could be in for a surprise is Stacy Ndiwa. The Kenyan, who will run her marathon debut on Sunday, has a strong half marathon Personal Best of 67:16. She was fifth in the World Cross Country Championships in 2015.

While Haydar is the fastest on the start list with her Turkish record time of 2:24:44 she is not expected to be in contention for victory on Sunday. 

Six years after running her last race at the Rio Olympic Games, where she finished 111th in the marathon, she will start a comeback at the N Kolay Istanbul Marathon. 

The 35 year-old never planned to have such a long break from professional running, but she endured a very tough time. After the Rio Olympics she first had some injury problems, but then things turned much worse. 

“In 2018 I lost my husband," recalls Haydar, who then turned to her elder brother for help and support. "But he too died just two months after my husband. It was a terrible time and I got mental problems. I tried to start running again a couple of times, but it did not work. Whenever I started I had to stop again." 

One of the persons who helped her and finally persuaded her to come back to running was fellow-marathon runner Meryem Erdogan. 

Also a former Ethiopian who competes for Turkey she will be in the race on Sunday. Erdogan, who has a PB of 2:29:08 trained together with the Turkish record holder in Addis Abeba recently for one month.

Both will probably run in the second group on Sunday which is expected to go for a 2:26 time.

“I missed running a lot and now I hope to come back and then reach peak form early next year. I think it is still possible for me to break my Turkish record,“ said Haydar.

Women

Sultan Haydar TUR 2:24:44

Meselech Tsegaye ETH 2:24:47

Sechale Dalasa ETH 2:26:09

Judith Jerubet KEN 2:26:17

Winny Jepkorir KEN 2:27:18

Mercy Kwambai KEN 2:27:32

Truphena Chepchirchir KEN 2:27:52

Shewarge Alene Amare ETH 2:28:16

Meryem Erdogan TUR 2:29:08

Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:30:28

Stacy Ndiwa KEN Debut

Ethlemahu Sintayehu ETH Debut