Kirui targets course record and ‘Mr Amsterdam’
London Olympic Marathon silver medallist Abel Kirui (left) addressing a media conference on August 17, 2012 during the launching of Uap Ndakaini Marathon. The two-time world marathon champion is planning an assault on the course record at the Amsterdam Marathon on October 19. FILE PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Chebet won the 2012 Amsterdam Marathon in 2:05:41, breaking Getu Feleke’s previous course record of 2:05:44 by three seconds. Last year, Chebet would better his record with a new time of 2:05:36
Two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui is planning an assault on the course record at the Amsterdam Marathon on October 19.
Kirui is set to come head-to-head with two times race defending champion and course record holder Wilson Chebet, who has earned the tag “Mr Amsterdam.”
“I am planning to attack the course record hence let Chebet the Mr Amsterdam know that iko kazi kubwa sana (there is a big battle),” warned the 32-year-old Kirui. “I pray to God that we finish well and in good times.”
Chebet won the 2012 Amsterdam Marathon in 2:05:41, breaking Getu Feleke’s previous course record of 2:05:44 by three seconds. Last year, Chebet would better his record with a new time of 2:05:36.
It will be Kirui’s second race after finishing 10th at Tokyo Marathon in February in 2:09:04 on return from a leg injury that saw him fail to defend his world title in Moscow last year.
Dickson Chumba from Kenya won the Tokyo race in a course record time of 2:05:42. “I lacked several things on return from injury and my leg was still painful during the Tokyo Marathon,” Kirui said.
