L. MathekaKenyans favorites at Generali Munich Marathon with local focus on Hendel
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 06.10.23. | 21:01
The Kenyans face off with Hendel who was fourth in Munich a year ago with a 2:10:37 debut
Kenyan runners headed by Luke Kibet, will challenge for the bragging rights with national star Sebastian Hendel, expected to offer some challenge in the race for victory at the Generali Munich Marathon set for Sunday 8 October.
The German elite runner hopes to dip under the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10 when he will finish in the Munich Olympic Stadium.
Athletes from Kenya are the fastest on the women’s start list as well. Catherine Cherotich has a personal best of 2:26:41.
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“After a great elite race comeback with two course records a year ago, we are now looking forward to more thrilling races on Sunday. Additionally, I hope Hendel can produce a strong performance and make the next step with a sub 2:10 time,” Race Director Gernot Weigl said, rooting for his own.
With a personal record of 2:08:45 Luke is the fastest runner on the start list. The 28-year-old Kenyan achieved this time in Chuncheon, Korea, four years ago.
He has prepared for the race in Iten where he joined the strong training group of Germany’s marathon record holder Amanal Petros.
While compatriots Edwin Kimaiyo and Cosmas Kiplimo are number two and three on the start list with personal bests (PBs) of 2:09:12 and 2:09:44 respectively Bernard Muia could be the surprise package.
Muia has only a 2:13:40 to his credit so far, but the Kenyan ran this time in Nairobi in high altitude. Muia is a training partner of Samwel Mailu, the course record holder of the Vienna City Marathon and world half marathon championships bronze medalist, and is said to be in fine form.
Benson Nzioki, also from Kenya, is tipped to produce a good debut.
The Kenyans face off with Hendel who was fourth in Munich a year ago with a 2:10:37 debut. When the 27-year-old returns to the Generali Munich Marathon he wants to break 2:10 and hopes to become the third German to break the Olympic qualifying time of 2:08:10.
“My shape is good and actually better than a year ago. I want to run the first half in 64:20 and then hope to achieve the Olympic standard with a negative split,” said Hendel. If he should be able to run such a time he will most probably be in contention for victory as well.
Meanwhile, with Personal Best’s (PBs) of around 2:27:00 three Kenyan women head the elite start list. Cherotich is the fastest of the three with her 2:26:41. It is worth noting that she ran her PB in Nairobi. Because of the high altitude she should be able to run faster on Sunday in Munich.
While Caroline Chepkwony took the Enschede Marathon in 2019 with 2:27:00 Munich’s elite race coordinator Michael Kraus expects Teclah Chebet to do well. She has won six of her seven marathons and most recently took the race in Linz, Austria, this spring with a PB of 2:27:18.
MEN
Luke Kibet KEN 2:08:45
Edwin Kimaiyo KEN 2:09:12
Cosmas Kiplimo KEN 2:09:44
Sebastian Hendel GER 2:10:37
Cornelius Chepkok KEN 2:11:46
Jackson Rutto KEN 2:12:02
Merhawi Ghebreslasie FRA 2:12:34
Amos Birgen KEN 2:13:09
Bernard Muia KEN 2:13:40
Alessandro Giacobazzi ITA 2:15:25
Benson Nzioki KEN Debüt
WOMEN
Catherine Cherotich KEN 2:26:41
Caroline Chepkwony KEN 2:27:00
Teclah Chebet KEN 2:27:18
Beatrice Cheburet KEN 2:30:41
Flomens Ngurasia KEN 2:30:42
The marathon will start at 9AM.
