Berlin Marathon notebook

What you need to know:

  • The men’s attempt at a new marathon world record in Sunday’s BMW Berlin Marathon has seriously overshadowed the women’s race in which Kenya will be represented by 2015 winner Gladys Cherono and Prague Marathon champion Valery Aiyabei.
  • Cherono, 34, is the favourite having won the race before in a personal best 2:19:12.

Women’s race overshadowed

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The men’s attempt at a new marathon world record in Sunday’s BMW Berlin Marathon has seriously overshadowed the women’s race in which Kenya will be represented by 2015 winner Gladys Cherono and Prague Marathon champion Valery Aiyabei. Cherono, 34, is the favourite having won the race before in a personal best 2:19:12. “Berlin is a fast course and I will run my won race with my target being to improve on my personal best time,” she said onday. Cherono and Aiyabei (2:21:57) are capable of eclipsing the course record here set in 2005 by Japan’s Mizuki Noguchi.

Kipsang chasing family joy here

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Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang has travelled here with his wife Doreen and daughter Joy, hoping the family will share in his joy of reclaiming the world record here today. Also accompanying “Team Kipsang” is the entire management of his Dutch stable, Volare Sport, headed by Gerard van de Veen, his wife Joke and which also includes their Kenyan representative Jonas Kipkemboi Tonge. “Team Kipsang” is led by his coach, Olympic steeplechase silver medalist Patrick Sang, and the head of his Dutch management group, Jos Hermens.

Iten, Eldoret follow race

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Wilson Kipsang’s Keellu Resort in Iten town and Eldoret’s Klique Hotel, where Eliud Kipchoge likes watching live athletics, will be full to the rafters today when athletes and fans converge for the live race broadcast of the Berlin Marathon. The Bank of Africa is offering banking and investment tips at their activation at Klique Hotel where Kipchoge’s partners, Isuzu East Africa, will also make an appearance to cheer their favourite athlete to possible victory in today’s big race..