New mum Jepchirchir enters Kass Marathon
Peris Jepchirchir on her way to victory in the women’s category of the 10th edition of the Family Bank Eldoret Half Marathon on October 9, 2016. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- The athlete, who has been training in Kapsabet, said she was happy her training was injury free and she will contest for a podium finish
- Former IAAF World marathon silver medallist Emmanuel Mutai and ex-Lisbon Half marathon champion Bernard Koech will also race on Sunday
Former World Half Marathon record holder Peris Jepchirchir headlines an elite field that has signed up for the Kass International Marathon in Eldoret on Sunday.
Fresh from maternity leave, Jepchirchir will be debuting in the race that will start in Kapsabet Boys High School, Nandi County and end in Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu County.
“After my maternity leave, I started running just to get into a good physical state before stepping up for the big races. It is my first marathon race and I will be looking forward to a good competition,” said Jepchirchir, who is under Gianni Demadona management.
The athlete, who has been training in Kapsabet, said she was happy her training was injury free and she will contest for a podium finish.
“I decided to participate in Kass Marathon to gauge my performance as I shift my gears to the 42km race. This will determine my future as I look forward to participating in bigger marathon races,” said Jepchirchir.
Jepchirchir broke the world half marathon record in 2017 at RAK Half Marathon. She took three seconds off Florence Kiplagat’s record in 65:06 minutes and set the 20km world record at 61:40 minutes.
Her position as the world’s fastest was short-lived tough, as Joyciline Jepkosgei broke both her world records the following month. In 2016, Jepchirchir was selected to represent Kenya in the World Half Marathon Championships where she bagged gold medal in 67:31 minutes.
She led the Kenyan women to the team title and a podium sweep with Cynthia Limo and Mary Ngugi coming in second and third respectively.
Former IAAF World marathon silver medallist Emmanuel Mutai and ex-Lisbon Half marathon champion Bernard Koech will also race on Sunday.
“These are the top athletes and they will be using the race as part of preparations ahead of their various assignments when the season starts," said their coach Richard Metto.
The race that cuts across two running counties of Nandi and Uasin Gishu, returns after a year with counties of Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo County governments sponsoring the athletes who will participate.
