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L. MathekaInjury rules Ekiru out of RAK half marathon
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 16.02.22. | 10:21
The 15th edition of the gold label race will be held on Saturday 19 February.
Africa Games half marathon champion Titus Ekiru who was set to feature at this year's Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) half marathon has opted out of the race due to injury.
Last year, Ekiru ran 2:02.57 in Milan, the fastest marathon time of 2021. With a personal best of 1:00.12, in the half marathon, the Abu Dhabi Marathon winner was looking to better his time at RAK but picked an injury in training that has forced him to skip the February 19 event.
"I was looking forward to racing in the UAE but now I have to focus on recovery as I prepare for Boston Marathon," said Ekiru
The world's fastest man of 2021 is taking on the World's Fastest Half Marathon. Could it get better than this? With a half marathon personal best of 1:00:12, will Titus Ekiru create a new record at the #RAKHalf2022? 👀 Join us to find out - https://t.co/T7mZ3P2ZUg pic.twitter.com/WvHAM9mDTj
— Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (@rakhalfmarathon) February 4, 2022
The organiser of the half marathon released a competitive field that also had Abel Kipchumba, who famously secured the second-fastest time in the 2021 Half Marathon distance category, with an incredible personal best of 58:07.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, who had a spectacular season, will be the man to beat. He completed the 2021 Lisbon Half Marathon in a record-breaking time of 57:31.
The world half marathon record holder is expected to set a quick pace and deliver fierce competition in the men’s category. Kiplimo won the World Half Marathon in Gdynia, Poland in 2020 and a bronze medal in 10,00om at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Titus Ekiru, the fastest marathon runner in the world last year having run 2:02:57 in Milan headlines a stellar Kenyan contingent to the this year's Boston Marathon set for 18 April. Here is the entry list as of today.https://t.co/6Liz7x73hT
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) January 14, 2022
Meanwhile, two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri and reigning champion Ababel Yeshaneh lock horns for the women's title. Also joining the duo is Olympics marathon silver medalist Brigid Kosgei.
Yeshaneh is returning to defend her title and potentially beat her historic win and personal best time of 1:04:31.
An experienced and highly sought after runner, she previously won both the 2019 Buenos Aires Half Marathon and the 2018 Istanbul Half Marathon as well as securing second place in the 2019 Chicago Marathon.
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