Evans Rutto: “My aim is to win Chicago again”

Evans Rutto will start this Sunday’s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon as the defending champion. The 27 year-old Kenyan has the unique chance to achieve a hat-trick at this race, which is among the most prestigious in worldwide marathon running. It was two years ago when Evans Rutto won the race with the fastest time ever for a debut (2:05:50 hours). A year ago he clocked 2:06:16. On Sunday, 9th October, he hopes to win his fourth big marathon out of five races. He had also won the London Marathon in 2004.

How was your training for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon? Where did you train?

Evans Rutto: I trained in Boulder, which is where I trained for Chicago in 2003 and 2004 as well. We trained very hard and I feel I am in very good shape for the race on October 9th.

How do you think you will run your third LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon? Do you think you will have a good chance to win?

Evans: I’ll have to wait to see how the race is, but of course it is my aim to win again this year.”

You have won both your races in Chicago; do you feel any pressure regarding a possible hat-trick?

Evans: To win Chicago again this year would be a great honor since it is one of the world’s greatest marathons and I believe that only Kahlid (Khannouchi) has won three times, so it would be great to equal his record. I am feeling confident, but not under pressure.

Do you want to run a fast race with an eye on the time or do you just run for winning? Will you run a race from the front or will you attack from behind?

Evans: Of course I would like to run a fast race, but most importantly, I want to win.

Who do you think will be you biggest rivals in Chicago?

Evans: I only know the shape of my training partners and they are also in very good shape. I can’t comment on the others. But I know that there is a very strong field and this is great for me since we can hopefully push each other to great performances.

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