East Africans out to dominate marathon events at Tokyo Olympics

Kenya set to dominate marathon events in Tokyo

JOHANNESBURG, July 13 (ANA) – If Kenya do not go on to win gold in the men’s and women’s marathon at the Tokyo Olympics next month, it will be a big surprise.

The women’s marathon will be held on August 7 and the men’s race will be staged the next day.

There is no greater talent in men’s marathon running than Eliud Kipchoge. He is the world record holder over 42.2km, with his Personal Best (PB) of 2:01:39. In fact, his unofficial personal best is 1:59:40 he managed in The Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna Austria in October 2019.

As the favourite to win gold, Kipchoge will lead the men’s Kenyan charge at the Olympics, and he be will joined by Lawrence Cherono, Amos Kipruto and Vincent Kipchumba. Though it will be the third Olympics for Kipchoge, it will be just his second competing in the marathon after claiming gold in Rio in 2016.

The other three will be making their debuts, and there is every chance that Kenya will claim a clean sweep on the podium.

On the women’s side, Brigid Kosgei leads the team as the world record holder. She broke the long-standing women’s world record, which had stood for 16 years, at the Chicago Marathon when she claimed victory in 2:14:04. She has also won the London Marathon in 2019 and 2020, and will be the heavy favourite to claim gold in Tokyo in her Olympic debut.

Kosgei will be joined by Peres Jepchirchir, Vivian Cheruiyot and Ruth Chepngetich – all capable of winning gold. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman