Glory beckons for Kenya as athletics programme begins

Glory beckons for Kenya on the start of the athletics program with both the men and women’s marathoners set to defend the titles at the 20th Commonwealth Games.

History awaits John Ekiru Kelai, who will be trying to become the first man to defend his title when he lines up in the men’s marathon.

Kelai has a quality back up from Eric Ndiema and Stephen Chelai, who interestingly have better personal bests than him of sub 2:06 each. Kelai, 36, who won the 2010 Delhi Games in 2:14:35, wants a more emphatic victory this time around.

Kelai is the only other Kenyan besides Douglas Wakiihuri to have won the Club Games marathon medal. Wakiihuri gave Kenya its maiden marathon victory during the 1990 Auckland Games.

“I want to be the first person to retain the title. The title defence has been on my mind since the start of the year and it’s my prayer that everything falls in place,” said Kelai, the winner of the 2003 Singapore, 2004 Brussels and 2006 Mumbai Marathon.

STRONG TEAM

Kelai noted that Kenya has a strong team that is capable of staging a clean sweep of the podium. “My colleagues have the best times in the field but we have to tread carefully especially against the Ugandans,” said Kelai, who has personal best 2:09:09 from 2006 Eindhoven Marathon. Abraham Kiplimo (2:09:23), Philip Kiplimo (2:11:30) and Solomon Mutai will represent Uganda. In the women’s event, the onus is on Philomena Cheyech and Caroline Kilel to stage another 1-2 finish after the withdrawal of former Rotterdam Marathon champion Phylis Ongiri.

“It won’t be easy to repeat the 2010 Delhi Games success but we are not under much pressure since we are well prepared for battle,” said Cheyech, who won the 2014 Paris Marathon with personal best 2:22:34.

“I have presented Kenya twice without getting a medal. This is my time,” said Cheyech, who finished seventh at the 2009 World Half Marathon.