Returning Mosop eyes glory at Prague Marathon

Moses ‘Engine Kubwa’ Mosop is preparing to pump his pistons at the 20th edition of the Prague Marathon on May 11.

The Kenyan, who boasts of having the second fastest time in marathon of 2:03:06 from his second placing at the 2011 Boston outing, has been out of action since mid 2012 owing to a tendon injury.

It’s the same injury that locked him out of the Kenyan marathon team for the 2012 London Olympics even after he was selected.

The Kenyan’s best time of 2:03:06, achieved on his debut at the distance on Boston’s record-ineligible course in 2011, makes him the second-fastest marathon runner in history.

The 28-year-old will also become the fastest runner to compete at the Prague Marathon in history – with high hopes that he will crown the anniversary edition with a top-class performance.

Mosop will add his name to those of the many great runners who have graced the Prague course for instance former World Marathon record holders Paul Tergat and Patrick Makau. Others are Ethiopian legend and former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie, Stefano Baldini and Zersenay Tadese.

Mosop was due to return for the Boston Marathon on April 21, but his training was hindered by a knee injury and he didn’t have enough time to prepare properly.

“After sustaining an injury in preparation for the Boston Marathon, I thought that there was no chance of a spring marathon for me,” the Kenyan athlete told nation.co.ke.

The course record in Prague stands at 2:05:39, set by Kenya’s Eliud Kiptanui in 2010. Kenyans have reigned supreme in 13 out of the previous 19 editions of the Prague Marathon.

Mosop enjoyed success in equal measure in track and cross country, taking the bronze medal in the 10,000m at the 2005 IAAF World Championships and finishing runner-up at the 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.