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The debuting quartet of Sebastian Sawe, Daniel Mateiko, Mathew Kimeli, and Hillary Kipkoech will attempt to challenge the Ethiopian dominance at the Valencia Marathon
The Kenyan athletics scene will once again be in the spotlight as four formidable runners Sebastian Sawe, Daniel Mateiko, Mathew Kimeli, and Hillary Kipkoech gear up to challenge Ethiopia's dominance at the Valencia Marathon on December 1.
Each member of this Kenyan quartet has established themselves as a powerhouse in road running and half marathons, promising an electrifying race against a star-studded Ethiopian lineup.
Leading the charge for the Kenyan team is Sebastian Sawe, the reigning World Road Running champion.
Sawe has completed all nine of his half marathons under the coveted 60-minute mark, boasting a personal best (PB) of 58:02.
Close on his heels is Mateiko, another consistent performer who has clocked sub-59-minute times on seven occasions, making him one of the most reliable half-marathoners in the world.
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05:30 - 20.11.2024
Vivian Cheruiyot: The Kenyan long-distance sensation defying age & dominating marathon running at 41
Vivian Cheruiyot continues to defy age at 41, showcasing her dominance and a legacy of Olympic and World Championship wins, despite facing past controversies.
Kipkoech, who holds a PB of 59:22, enters the marathon as a serious contender after previously pacing Ethiopian course record holder Sisay Lemma in 2023.
Kimeli who triumphed at the 2023 Bangsaen21 Half Marathon in Thailand with a time of 1:03:39, adds another layer of depth to Kenya’s challenge.
The Kenyan quartet will face stiff competition from a stellar Ethiopian team led by Sisay Lemma, the Valencia Marathon course record holder.
Lemma’s breathtaking 2:01:48, set last year, ranks as the sixth-fastest marathon time in history.
Following his Valencia triumph, Lemma claimed the Boston Marathon title earlier this year with a time of 2:06:17.
Joining Lemma is Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele, whose PB of 2:01:41 makes him the fastest man in the field.
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07:30 - 20.11.2024
'People were running close to me in my head' - Usain Bolt reveals weird reason that led to a false start at the 2011 World championships
The legendary Jamaican sprinter saw his season go from bad to worse after being disqualified in the 100m, an occurrence that remains vivid in his mind
Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, continues to be a force at the marathon distance, ranking third on the all-time list.
The Ethiopian roster further includes two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese, winner of the 2021 Berlin Marathon Guye Adola and Olympian Deresa Geleta who placed fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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