by Alfonz Juck
Mary Keitany, RAK 2017, photo by PhotoRun.netKeitany wants to attempt the WR
LONDON (GBR): Mary Keitany will launch an attempt on Paula Radcliffe’s world marathon record of 2:15:25 in the London Marathon on 22 April, informs organisers. Keitany broke Radcliffe’s women’s only record with 2:17:01 last year and she will be aided by male pacemakers in an attempt to lower Radcliffe’s outright 15-year-old mark. “The marathon world record is something that I have been working towards for several years and I feel I am now in the position where I can really attack the time of 2:15:25. At last year’s Virgin Money London Marathon, I was feeling good but it was hard to run nearly half the race on my own. By having male pacemakers, I will be able to have the support throughout the race,” she said. Keitany will face last year’s runner-up Tirunesh Dibaba AND former world marathon champion Mare Dibaba from Ethiopia as well as her Kenyan teammates Gladys Cherono, Brigid Kosgei and Vivian Cheruiyot. Reigning world marathon champion Rose Chelimo from Bahrain has also been announced. The finalised men’s elite field is headed by reigning champion Daniel Wanjiru from Kenya, course record-holder Eliud Kipchoge, last year’s runner-up Kenenisa Bekele while Mo Farah steps up to the distance.
RunBlogRun opines: Mary Keitany has the ability and drive to break 2:15:25. In that process she has to defeat Tirunesh Dibaba, who also has the ability to break the WR. This race will be epic.
