by Alfonz Juck
Dennis Kimetto, photo by PhotoRun.net
Kimetto and much more
BOSTON (USA): World record-holder Dennis Kimetto will compete in the Boston Marathon on 17 April, informs organisers. Kimetto is one of seven runners in the field with a sub-2:05 lifetime best along with his Kenyan teammates Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13), Patrick Makau (2:03:38) and Sammy Kitwara (2:04:28). Reigning champion Lemi Berhanu (2:04:33) is also in the line-up along with fellow Ethiopians Yemane Tsegay (2:04:48) and Dino Sefir (2:04:50). Former champion Meb Keflezighi (2:08:37) will run his penultimate marathon in Boston while Abdi Abdirahman (2:08:56) and Olympic bronze medallist Galen Rupp (2:10:05) also spearhead the domestic challenge. The elite women’s race includes three athletes with sub-2:20 PBs: Kenyans Gladys Cherono (2:19:25) and Edna Kiplagat (2:19:50) with Ethiopia’s Buzunesh Deba, who holds the course record with 2:19:59. Other notable entrants include home favourite Shalane Flanagan (2:21:14) reigning champion Atsede Baysa (2:22:03), former NYC winner top European Jelena Prokopcuka (2:22:56) and 2014 champion Caroline Rotich (2:23:22).
RunBlogRun opines: Boston Marathon is putting together a tremendous field. Galen Rupp, who is suffering from plantar fasciitis, will have his hands full. If Dennis Kimetto can put his fitness together, Boston could be very, very fast. This will also be Meb Keflezighi’s last elite Boston marathon run. On the women’s side, Shalane Flanagan and Desi Linden will be in the thick of the battle.
