While the athletes simply smiled as commentator and expert Tim Hutchings brought up the ‘Ethiopia v Kenya who has the edge factor’, the overall sentiment was that they were all, “glad to be back in Mumbai after COVID-19 scotched the previous editions”
Defending champion Derara Hurisa. Pic/Anurag Ahire
The international elite athletes are ready to singe the field at the Tata Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, January 15. The intense Kenya v Ethiopia rivalry was in focus again as the athletes took centrestage in a press conference at Azad Maidan on Friday.
While the athletes simply smiled as commentator and expert Tim Hutchings brought up the ‘Ethiopia v Kenya who has the edge factor’, the overall sentiment was that they were all, “glad to be back in Mumbai after COVID-19 scotched the previous editions.”
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Men’s defending champion, Derara Hurisa of Ethiopia, who won in 2020 with a timing of 2:08:09, said, “Though I know the course now, since I have been here before, it is not going to be easy, looking at the very strong field. My training has been going well though, and of course, I am going to do everything to defend my title.”
Hurisa’s compatriot Hayle Lemi said, “the slightly warmer weather looks good and I am comfortable in these temperatures. My training has also gone well.” Philemon Rono, who has earned the nickname ‘baby police’ for his short stature, said: “I’m called baby police because I’m usually the shortest man on the course.” Short man, tall deeds one can say about Rono’s 2.05.00 Personal Best (PB). Rono, who has the legendary Eliud Kipchoge as training partner added, “I aim to be a champion in every race I run.”
The women’s challenge has Ethiopia’s Worknesh Alemu, who won in 2019 in a timing of 2:25:45. The course record is 2:24:33, set by V Kipketer in 2013. “I’ll try for the course record, but a 42km distance is long and certainly not easy. Everything is decided on that day,” said Alemu, adding that she has battled a “heel injury that went on for two long years.”
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