Dennis Kimetto eyeing April action after Dubai exploits
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 13.01.25. | 17:24
His world record from 2014 remains his personal best time
Fresh off a 15th-place run at this year's Dubai Marathon, former marathon world record holder Dennis Kimetto is keeping his April options open.
The 40-year-old great whose 2:02:57 personal best (PB) was a world record in 2014, standing for four years before compatriot Eliud Kipchoge broke it, clocked 2:14:56 in his first marathon in five years.
His last competitive race before this was the 2019 Daegu International Marathon, where he failed to finish.
In a race where Ethiopians occupied the top 14 places, Bute Gemechu who broke away from the leading men’s group at 35km went on to win in 2:04:51, becoming the fifth Ethiopian debutant in succession to win the Dubai men’s race.
Berehanu Tsegu came through for second place in 2:05:14 ahead of Shifera Tamru (2:05:28).
"It feels good just to finish this race. It has been a long time since I ran or finished one and I'm really happy for today. The course was good, flat, the weather was good and I'm sure when I come back here I will have a better time.
Coming off such a long layoff and struggling with injuries to post such a performance gives me confidence that I will soon run quicker times now that the injuries have been resolved," Kimetto said after the race.
One of the shooting stars of recent marathon history, Kimetto had a short stellar career during which, in addition to other top victories, he won three of the most prestigious marathons in the world, Chicago, Tokyo and Berlin, breaking the course record in each event, and setting a world record in the final one, in Berlin 2014.
Making a comeback ten days before his 41st birthday, the Kenyan admits that the pace was a bit high but in a quick rejoinder assured that he was okay with such a pace and the challenge that the younger generation poses.
There is no time to rest for the veteran, who has also competed in the London Marathon for third and ninth in 2015 and 2016 respectively has remained cagey about his next event.
"I will go back to training with an April race in mind. I haven't decided which event I will compete in yet as I want to get back to training first," the soft-spoken runner offered.
With both Boston and London Marathons set for April and Kimetto yet to run the former or win the latter, could we see the former Nairobi and RAK Half marathon champion be eyeing either? He is yet to run the New York City Marathon as well.
