Three Big Cities, Three Exciting Races: Our Spring Marathon Preview

Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot Returns to Boston
Tsegaye Kebede and Patrick Makau in London
Fast Times Expected in Rotterdam
Selected Spring Races

The start of the elite women’s Boston race in 2010. © www.photorun.net

April is the marathon’s busiest month. Rotterdam and Paris kick things off on April 10, while London occurs the next week with Boston following a day later. Other races will be held in Düsseldorf, Hanover (both on May 8), and Hamburg (May 22). World-class times are expected in Rotterdam and London with the latter fielding very strong runners. This year’s Boston Marathon—run on a tough and hilly course—should be very competitive as well.

An estimated 200,000 marathoners will take part in these large-city spring races. Several million spectators will either be lining the courses or watching the marathons on television—a testament that the marathon is as popular as ever.

Can Patrick Makau add the London title to his impressive list of victories? © www.photorun.net

The men’s performances, especially in recent years, have been getting faster and faster. In the top-10 world all-time list, three times were clocked in 2010 and two were set in both 2009 and 2008. Athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia continue to dominate the event in terms of strength in depth. This year, there’s a good chance that the times will be near Haile Gebrselassie’s world record, 2:03:59 hours. In the women’s race, no runner is expected to come close to Paula Radcliffe’s incredible 2:15:25 record. The big question for the women is who might run under 2:20 for the first time since 2008. The last to do so was Germany’s Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19).

“I think there will soon be a new world record in the marathon. I expect it to come this year because there are a number of athletes capable of breaking Haile Gebrselassie’s best time of 2:03:59,” said Mario Kadiks, race director of the ABN AMRO Rotterdam Marathon. World records aside, the best Kenyan and Ethiopian marathoners have an additional reason to run fast this year: the marathon races in April can be considered Olympic-qualifying events by the national federations. Since each country is permitted to enter only three athletes for the 2012 Olympics, the competition will be even tougher in Kenya and Ethiopia. It will be important even for Haile Gebrselassie to run a fast fall marathon. Sub-2:06 hours will most likely be required for Ethiopian and Kenyan runners to qualify for the Olympics in London (Great Britain).

After injury forced him to withdraw from the Tokyo Marathon in February, Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) decided not to run a marathon this spring. Instead, he will be starting at the Vienna City Half Marathon (Austria), which is held in conjunction with the city’s marathon. Haile Gebrselassie confirmed last week on Twitter that his training had been going well again.

Course-Record Holder Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot Returns to Boston

Can Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot retain the Boston title? © www.photorun.net

Times on the challenging Boston Marathon course can’t be compared to the flat, fast streets of Rotterdam and London. Last year, however, a young Kenyan runner made a name for himself in the Massachusetts city. Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot set an outstanding course record (2:05:52 hours) despite the challenges posed by the race’s famous “Heartbreak Hill.” The 22 year old will be running again on April 18, “Patriot’s Day” in Massachusetts. As a newcomer he ran to a course record of 2:07:21 at the 2008 BMW Frankfurt Marathon.

Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot’s top competitor is currently one of the strongest runners—it is Geoffrey Mutai. The 25-year-old Kenyan athlete was second fastest in the world last year when he finished in 2:04:55 behind Patrick Makau. This could set up a thrilling Kenyan duel in Boston. However, there are many other runners in the field who stand a good chance to take home the largest purse of the spring of marathons ($150,000). Seven runners with personal bests under 2:07 hours will be toeing the starting line. Among them is the American and hometown favorite, Ryan Hall, who has a best time of 2:06:17. Last year, he finished with a highly creditable fourth place in Boston. The 2010 New York City Marathon champion, Gebre Gebremariam (Ethiopia), is also among the group of favorites.

Moses Mosop’s marathon debut in Boston is eagerly anticipated as well. The 25-year-old Kenyan is a former world-class long-distance track runner and was second at the 2007 World Cross-Country Championships. He has already shown good form on his half marathon debut last year, clocking 59:20 minutes to win the Stramilano Half Marathon in Milan.

Americans are looking hopeful to Kara Goucher at the Boston Marathon. © www.photorun.net

The defending women’s champion, Teyba Erkesso (Ethiopia), won last year in 2:26:11 hours. On Monday, April 18, she competes against a number of former Boston Marathon champions. Among them are world-class runners such as Dire Tune (Ethiopia) and the former world-record holder, Catherine Ndereba (Kenya). Kara Goucher (USA) will be making her marathon comeback after giving birth to her son at the end of September last year. She recently showed good form for the half marathon, finishing third in New York with a time of 69:03 minutes. The women’s elite field in Boston also has an interesting debutant: Florence Kiplagat had two great wins in the past couple of years. In 2009, the Kenyan runner became the World Cross-Country champion and last October, she took gold at the World Half-Marathon Championships. Now the 24 year old will be making her first attempt at the famous 26.2 miles.

Also at the starting line will be two-time Boston-Marathon champion Joan Samuelson. The 53-year-old Olympic gold medalist from Maine won the prestigious race in 1979 and 1983. Four-time champion Bill Rodgers will serve as grand marshal of the 2011 event, sponsored for the 26th time by John Hancock.

The oldest participant in Boston is going to be Clarence Hartley. The 81-year-old runner is a recent two-time cancer survivor and qualified with a time of 4:39 for the marathon!

Tsegaye Kebede and Patrick Makau Headline the Men’s Field in London

Irina Mikitenko took the women’s race in the 2008 and 2009 London Marathon. © www.photorun.net

The London Marathon has attracted very strong elite fields for many years. On April 17, last year’s winners, Tsegaye Kebede (Ethiopia) and Liliya Shobukhova (Russia), will compete against the fastest man of 2010, Patrick Makau (Kenya/2:04:48), and the women’s Olympic champion, Constantina Dita (Romania). Six men with personal bests of under 2:05:30 hours (!) and five women who have run under 2:22 comprise the impressive field. The fastest woman is Irina Mikitenko who won in London in 2008 and 2009. Her opponents include the world-record holder for 25 kilometers, Mary Keitany (Kenya), who finished third in New York on her marathon debut last November in 2:29:01. Mary Keitany would like to show that she is an Olympic gold-medal contender in 2012.

“The women’s field is undoubtedly the best we’ve ever had. The men’s elite field is comparable with the strong fields we’ve had in recent years. We believe the men’s course record will be under threat, while we expect one of the best women’s races in terms of quality in the history of the Virgin London Marathon,” said the race director Dave Bedford who has created a late entry for nine leading Japanese women. After the cancellation of marathon races in Nagoya and Nagano following the tsunami, the Japanese women were without a qualifying race for the World Championships in the summer. They want to use the opportunity in London to qualify for Daegu (South Korea).

Approximately 75% of all participants will once again be running for charity this year. Since the program was established in 1981, over half a billion pounds have been raised for numerous charitable organizations.

Fast Times Are Expected Once Again in Rotterdam

Eliud Kiptanui is seeking a world-record attempt in Rotterdam. © www.photorun.net

Rotterdam has seen several world records in the past. In recent years, it also had the fastest times of the year. Duncan Kibet (2:04:27) and Patrick Makau (2:04:48) came very close to the world-record mark with their victories in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Four sub-2:06 runners will be at the starting line of the fast Rotterdam course on April 10. In terms of strength in depth, it’s the best field ever assembled in the Netherlands for a marathon.

Particularly Kenya’s Vincent Kipruto (2:05:13 in Rotterdam in 2010) and Eliud Kiptanui count as favorites. Eliud Kiptanui catapulted himself into the world elite when he ran 2:05:39 in Prague (Czech Republic) in May 2010. Vincent Kipruto, who two years previously improved the course record in Paris (France) to 2:05:47, had to overcome adversity in Rotterdam the year before. The 23 year old had to stop during the closing stages because the insole of a shoe had come out and was slowing him down. He ripped the insole out and continued, running a personal best nonetheless.

The women’s race could also see fast times on this occasion. Among the starters is the 2006 Boston champion, Rita Jeptoo. The 30-year-old Kenyan runner, who has a best time of 2:23:38, says her compatriot Tegla Loroupe is her inspiration. The latter is the course-record holder in Rotterdam with 2:20:47. In 1998, Tegla Loroupe improved the world record with this performance. Among Rita Jeptoo’s competitors will be the current world silver medalist for the half marathon, Fyles Ongori. The Kenyan runner is making her marathon debut in Rotterdam.

If you are preparing for one of these marathons or other events, check out the information and last-minute tips of this greeting by Uta.

Round-up of Spring Marathon Dates

Dates and Leading Runners of Selected Spring Races

1. ROTTERDAM (10 April)

IAAF Gold Label Race
Entries: appr. 12,000
Entries still possible: No
Website: www.abnamromarathonrotterdam.com
TV: Live on RTV Rijnmond as well as live-stream in internet (universalsports.com and nos.nl)

Winner’s Prize Money: dependent on winning time
Total Prize Money: 1 Million US-Dollars

Course Records:
2:04:27 Duncan Kibet (KEN/2009), James Kwambai (KEN/2009)
2:20:47 Tegla Loroupe (KEN/1998)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Vincent Kipruto (KEN/2:05:13), Feyisa Lelisa (ETH/2:05:23), Eliud Kiptanui (KEN/2:05:39), Getu Feleke (ETH/2:05:44), Wilson Chebet (KEN/2:06:12), Gilbert Kirwa (KEN/2.06:14), Chala Dechase (ETH/2:06:33).
Women: Rita Jeptoo (KEN/2:23:38), Atsede Habtamu (ETH/2:24:26), Hilda Kibet (NED/2:26:23), Olga Glok (RUS/2:28:27), Irene Limika (KEN/2:28:31), Alessandra Aguilar (ESP/2:29:01), Beatriz Ros (ESP/2:29:32), Shitaye Bedaso (ETH/2:29:48), Eugenia Danilova (RUS/2:31:44), Fyles Ongori (KEN/Debut).

2. PARIS (10 April)

IAAF Gold Label Race
Entries: 40,000
Entries still possible: No
Website: www.parismarathon.com

Prize Money: 50,000 Euros
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): between 136,500 and 268,500 Euros (depending on finishing times)

Course Records:
2:05:47 Vincent Kipruto (KEN/2009)
2:22:04 Atsede Baysa (ETH/2010)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Eshetu Wendimu (ETH/2:06:46), Daniel Rono (KEN/2:06:58), Bernard Kipyego (KEN/2:07:01), Alfred Kering (KEN/2:07:11), Benjamin Kiptoo (KEN/2:07:17), David Barmasai (KEN/2:07:18), Jafred Chichir (KEN/2:08:10), Zambale Yegeze (ETH/2:08:27), Henry Sugut (KEN/2:08:40), Abraham Chelanga (KEN/2:08:43), Daniel Kosgei (KEN/2:08:45), Isaia Kiplagat (KEN/2:09:09), Vincent Kiplagat (KEN/2:09:22), Simon Munyutu (FRA/2:09:24), Stephen Kibet (KEN/2:09:27), Stephen Chebogut (KEN/2:09:38).
Women: Agnes Kiprop (KEN/2:24:07), Mamitu Daska (ETH/2:24:18), Koren Yal (ETH/2:24:33), Ashu Kasim (ETH/2:25:49), Priscah Jeptoo (KEN/2:27:01), Kateryna Stetsenko (UKR/2:27:51), Fate Geleto (ETH/2:28:22), Gisaw Melkam (ETH/2:28:58), Wude Ayelew (ETH/Debut).

3. LONDON (17 April)

World Marathon Majors (WMM)-Race
IAAF Gold Label Race
Entries: appr. 50,000
Entries still possible: No
Website: www.virginlondonmarathon.com
TV: Live on BBC Sport, Eurosport, and Sky Sport as well as live-stream in internet (virginlondonmarathon.com (USA only))

Prize Money: 55,000 US-Dollars
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): 295,000 US-Dollars

Course Records:
2:05:10 Samuel Wanjiru (KEN/2009)
2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR/2003/WR)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Patrick Makau (KEN/2:04:48), Martin Lel (KEN/2:05:15), Tsegaye Kebede (ETH/2:05:18), Abel Kirui (KEN/2:05:04), Bazu Worku (ETH/2:05:25), Jaouad Gharib (MAR/2:05:27), Emmanuel Mutai (KEN/2:06:15), Viktor Röthlin (SUI/2:07:23), Abderrahime Bouramdane (MAR/2:07:33), Yonas Kifle (ERI/2:07:34), José Manuel Martinez (ESP/2:08:09), Marilson Gomes dos Santos (BRA/2:08:37), Dmitry Safronov (RUS/2:10:12).
Women: Irina Mikitenko (Germany/2:19:19), Liliya Shobukhova (RUS/2:20:25), Zhou Chunxiu (CHN/2:19:51), Constantina Dita (ROU/2:21:30), Askale Tafa (ETH/2:21:31), Inga Abitova (RUS/2:22:19), Lornah Kiplagat (NED/2:22:22), Aselefech Mergia (ETH/2:22:38), Bezunesh Bekele (ETH/2:23:09), Bai Xue (CHN/2:23:27), Mariya Konovalova (RUS/2:23:50), Xiaolin Zhu (CHN/2:23:57), Aberu Kebede (ETH/2:23:58), Yuri Kano (JPN/2:24:27), Yukiko Akaba (JPN/2:24:55), Edna Kiplagat (KEN/2:25:38), Mizuho Nasukawa (JPN/2:25:38), Yurika Nakamura (JPN/2:25:51), Magdalena Lewy Boulet (USA/2:26:22), Madoka Ogi (JPN/2:26:55), Yoshiko Fujinaga (JPN/2:28:13), Liz Yelling (GBR/2:28:33), Lisa Weightman (AUS/2:28:48), Yukari Sahaku (JPN/2:28:55), Mary Keitany (KEN/2:29:01), Azusa Nojiri (JPN/2:29:12), Jo Pavey (GBR/Debut), Jessica Augusto (POR/Debut), Noriko Matsuoka (JPN/Debut), Risa Shigetomo (JPN/Debut).

4. VIENNA (17 April)

Entries: 8,000
Entries still possible: Yes
Website: www.vienna-marathon.com

Prize Money: 15,000 Euros
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): 64,500 Euros

Course Records:
2:07:38 Abel Kirui (KEN/2008)
2:23:47 Maura Viceconte (ITA/2000)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Paul Kirui (KEN/2:06:44), Dimitriy Baranovsky (UKR/2:07:15), Isaac Macharia (KEN/2:07:16), Nicholas Chelimo (KEN/2:07:38), Patrick Ivuti (KEN/2:07:46), Joseph Ngeny (KEN/2:08:10), Wilson Kigen (KEN/2:08:16), Henryk Szost (POL/2:10:27), Adam Draczynski (POL/2:10:49), Roman Weger (AUT/2:16:18)—others at present unknown.
Women: Elza Kireyeva (RUS/2:28:02), Fate Tola (ETH/2:28:22), Elisabeth Chemweno (KEN/2:28:55), Ana Dulce Felix (POR), Peninah Arusei (KEN/Debut).

5. BOSTON (18 April)

World Marathon Majors (WMM)-Race
IAAF Gold Label Race
Entries: 26,800
Entries still possible: No
Website: www.baa.org
TV: Live on WBZ-TV as well as live-stream (boston.cbslocal.com and universalsports.com) and live web coverage (baa.org)

Prize Money: 150,000 US-Dollars
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): 746,000 US-Dollars

Course Records:
2:05:52 Robert Kip. Cheruiyot (KEN/2010)
2:20:43 Margaret Okayo (KEN/2002)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Geoffrey Mutai (KEN/2:04:55), Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (KEN/2:05:52), Ryan Hall (USA/2:06:17), Gilbert Yegon (KEN/2:06:18), Evans Cheruiyot (KEN/2:06:25), Tadese Tola (ETH/2:06:31), Sylvester Teimet (KEN/2:06:49), Bekana Daba (ETH/2:07:04), Philip Kimutai Sanga (KEN/2:07:11), Tekeste Kebede (ETH/2:07:23), Feleke Abreham Cherkos (ETH/2:07:29), Shadrack Kiplagat (KEN/2:07:53), Deressa Chimsa (ETH/2:07:54), Stephen Kibiwot (KEN/2:07:54), Robert Kipchumba (KEN/2:08:07), Gebre Gebremariam (ETH/2:08:14), Alistair Cragg (IRL/Debut), Moses Mosop (KEN/Debut).
Women: Catherine Ndereba (KEN/2:18:47), Galina Bogomolova (RUS/2:20:47), Sharon Cherop (KEN/2:22:43), Tirfi Tsegaye (ETH/2:22:44), Merima Mohammed (ETH/2:23:06), Salina Kosgei (KEN/2:23:22), Caroline Kilel (KEN/2:23:25), Hiromi Ominami (JPN/2:23:26), Dire Tune (ETH/2:23:44), Teyba Erkesso (ETH/2:23:53), Alice Timbilili (KEN/2:25:03), Kim Smith (NZL/2:25:21), Kara Goucher (USA/2:25:52), Tatyana Pushkareva (RUS/2:26:14), Desiree Davila (USA/2:26:20), Misiker Mekonin (ETH/2:26:20), Sylvia Skvortsova (RUS/2:26:24), Werknesh Kidane (ETH/2:27:15), Hellen Mugo (KEN/2:27:16), Yuliya Ruban (UKR/2:27:44), Woynishet Girma (ETH/2:27:51), Blake Russell (USA/2:29:10), Florence Kiplagat (KEN/Debut).

6. DÜSSELDORF (8 May)

Entries: expected to be at least 4,000
Entries still possible: Yes
Website: www.metrogroup-marathon.de

Prize Money: 7,000 Euros
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): 35,750 Euros

Course Records:
2:08:32 Iaroslav Musinschi (MDA/2010)
2:26:44 Luminita Zaituc (GER/2004)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Günther Weidlinger (AUT/2:10:47), Martin Beckmann (LG Leinfelden-Echterdingen/2:13:42), Jan Fitschen (TV Wattenscheid/Debut)—others at present unknown.
Women: Natalya Volgina (RUS/2:27:32), Jacqueline Nytepi (KEN/2:34:16)—others at present unknown.

7. HANOVER (8 May)

Entries: expected to be appr. 2,000
Entries still possible: Yes
Website: www.marathon-hannover.de
TV: Live on N3

Prize Money: 4,000 Euros
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): 20,400 Euros

Course Records:
2:08:52 Yussuf Songoka (KEN/2010)
2:31:36 Kateryna Stetsenko (UKR/2010)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Jason Mbote (KEN/2:07:37), John Kelai (KEN/2:09:09)—others at present unknown.
Women: Irene Mogaka (KEN/2:30:10)—others at present unknown.

8. HAMBURG (22 May)

Entries: between 17 and 20,000
Entries still possible: Yes
Website: www.marathon-hamburg.de

Prize Money: not available
Total Prize Money (not counting time bonuses): not available

Course Records:
2:06:52 Julio Rey (ESP/2006)
2:24:14 Irina Timofeyeva (RUS/2008)

Elite athletes and their personal bests (at the time of going to press):
Men: Wilfred Kigen (KEN) 2:07:33—others at present unknown.
Women: at present unknown.

The 10 Fastest Marathons in History

Men:

Women:

World Marathon Majors (WMM)
2010-2011* Standings

Men:

Women:

*A WMM Series takes place over a two-year cycle. The one million dollar prize money is divided equally between the two overall winners.