Kipsang, Kimetto battle for World Marathon jackpot

London marathon men's winner Wilson Kipsang poses with his award in central London on April 14, 2014. On November 1, 2014, will it be the new World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto or his predecessor Wilson Kipsang winning the 2013/2014 World Marathon Majors? PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • That puzzle will be solved Saturday when Kipsang takes on the New York Marathon course against a rich field that includes the defending champion Geoffrey Mutai.
  • Kipsang was the world’s fastest marathoner until Kimetto and Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13) ran under his previous world record of 2:03:23 in Berlin.

Will it be the new World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto or his predecessor Wilson Kipsang winning the 2013/2014 World Marathon Majors?

That puzzle will be solved Saturday when Kipsang takes on the New York Marathon course against a rich field that includes the defending champion Geoffrey Mutai.

Kipsang, who has 51 points needs nothing short of victory so as to bolster his tally to 76 that will see him win the WMM. However, anything less than that will see Kimetto, who won the Berlin Marathon in a world record of 2hrs,02:57min on September 28, claim his maiden the WMM with 75 points.

Kimetto has made his trip to New York, but will not be running as he awaits his fate.

Kipsang was the world’s fastest marathoner until Kimetto and Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13) ran under his previous world record of 2:03:23 in Berlin.

The WMM winner will take home US$ 500,000 (Sh 44.5million). A relaxed Kipsang said everyone goes into the battlefield focused on victory but hastened to add that he is prepared for any eventuality.

“I am happy that whichever way, it’s a Kenyan who will lift the WMM Series title. But It will be too bad for me to miss the jackpot which is within my reach than ever before,” said Kipsang, who will be making his debut in New York.
Kimetto also said he is ready for any outcome. “I ran well in Berlin taking the challenge to Kipsang. It’s up to him now and I believe he is a strong and favourite to win in New York,” the soft-spoken Kimetto said before leaving for New York.