Obiri, Kosgei among Kenyan athletes to compete in RAK Half marathon

The 16th edition of the Gold label Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will be one to savor as an elite group of six athletes was on Thursday announced by the organizing Tourism Development Authority.

Among the heavyweights available in the press conference at Marjan Island was two-time 5000 meter Olympic silver medalist Hellen Obiri expected to make her first half marathon appearance this season on the fast UAE course.

“I am excited to kick off my competitive season by once again participating in this amazing half marathon on Saturday,” Obiri told the press on Thursday. “I have been training hard for the race in order to put my best foot forward, and if the weather permits, I hope to set a new course record and go home as the new champion.”

Doing so will have her to dip under her half marathon personal best of 64:22 that she set in last year’s event. The time puts her second in Saturday’s competitive field.

World marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei will also throw her hat in the ring - making her second appearance in the Rak Half Marathon after placing second in the event in 2020. She holds a personal best of 64:28.

2021 Berlin and 2022 World Championships Marathon champion Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia is the other big gun in the 21 km race, and will seek to take some time off her half marathon personal best of 65:36.

The 28-year old smashed the Championship record in the women’s marathon in Oregon last year clocking 2:18:11 – her personal best over the full distance.

World Championships silver medalist and Paris marathon Judith Jeptum Korir will also look to lower her personal best time of 1:05:28 that she set last year.

But that is not all.

The elite men’s race will also involve some big names, most notably being the Kenyan duo of Daniel Mateiko and Kennedy Kimutai- all making back-to-back appearances in the RAK Half marathon.

Mateiko holds a personal record of 58:26 from the Valencia Half marathon while Kimutai has a personal best time of 58:28 from last year’s race.

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“First of all, I would like to thank the race organizers for inviting me back for another opportunity to set a better record,” Mateiko told the media on Thursday. “Last year, I ran this course and finished with a good time; however, I’m aiming to secure higher results and potentially break a course record. With such a fast and flat course, I believe anything is possible.”

Also in the men’s race will be Ethiopia’s Seifu Tura – winner of Chicago Marathon in 2021. He finished fourth in last year’s event and has a personal best time of 58:36.

The race categories will include 5km, 1 mile, half marathon and the half marathon relay events.

Additional reporting from RAK Half Marathon website.