Two Istanbul champions in race for Turkish all-comers record

Defending champion Robert Kipkemboi and former winner Benard Sang will clash in Sunday’s Istanbul Marathon as the men’s elite runners target the Turkish all-comers record of 2:09:27.

Kipkemboi goes up against fellow Kenyan Sang, who took Turkey’s most prestigious marathon in 2020.

However, Abraraw Misganaw of Ethiopia is the fastest runner on the final start list with a personal best (PB) of 2:06:39.

Kenya’s Beatrice Cheptoo heads the women’s elite list with a PB of 2:22:28.

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Action in the classic distance starts at 8 a.m. (EAT) on the Asian side of Istanbul and then finishes in Europe on Sultanahmet Square in the city’s historic center.

“We are proud to have assembled a strong international field for Turkey’s premier marathon event once again. Hopefully, weather conditions will be fine so that there is a chance of establishing the fastest time ever run on Turkish soil.

It is great to see another big mass race with 45,000 runners. This confirms our significant position in the development of our sport in Turkey. We are of course the only marathon in the world that offers the experience of crossing from one continent to another during the race,” said Race Director Renay Onur.

Meanwhile, Misganaw says he is ready for the race, adding, “If the weather is suitable and the pacemakers are doing their job, then I think the course record could be possible for me.”

Daniel Kibet of Kenya holds the record with his winning time of 2:09:44 from 2019. This mark is just 17 seconds away from the Turkish all-comers record.

Misganaw improved his former PB of 2:09:47 by over three minutes in Dubai this February. He clocked 2:06:39 and was fifth in this competitive race.

“I am in the same shape as before the Dubai Marathon,” said the 35-year-old from Addis Ababa.

Kipkemboi will be looking to become the first man to achieve back-to-back wins in Istanbul since fellow Kenyan Vincent Kiplagat defended his title in 2011. Kipkemboi clocked 2:10:18 a year ago. His personal best stands at 2:07:09.

Earlier this year, he showed very promising form when he won the Nairobi Marathon in 2:07:38. This is quite a remarkable performance in high altitude.

While a total of seven runners have personal bests of sub 2:10 on Istanbul’s start list, organizers had to cope with some late withdrawals.

Among them are Kenyans Reuben Kipyego and Moses Koech, as well as Gadise Shumie of Ethiopia.

Early this year, Cheptoo ran a fine personal best of 2:22:28 when she was third in Doha. The 30-year-old Kenyan improved by almost two minutes.

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“I have been preparing for the race in Istanbul since June, and my training went really well. I am hoping for a good time and will try to win the race. I have my own pacemaker and only train with him,” Cheptoo said.

With a personal best of 2:23:49, Sifan Melaku of Ethiopia is the second fastest on the start list. The 23-year-old ran this time three years ago in Sevilla. In her most recent race, she took the Stockholm Marathon at 2:30:44 in May.

In the same month this year, Valentina Mateiko made her fine marathon debut in Copenhagen. The Kenyan was second with 2:25:05. It will be interesting to see what she can do in a much more competitive field in Istanbul.

While four women feature personal bests of sub 2:24, another four on the start list have run below 2:27. Another Kenyan who might do well on Sunday is Linah Cheruto.

She was very unfortunate when she suffered a broken foot during her debut marathon in Copenhagen in 2023, around the 30k mark. After fully recovering, Cheruto now starts a second attempt in Istanbul.