by Larry Eder
Geoffrey Mutai, photo by PhotoRun.net
Geoffrey Mutai is racing on 6 September in Prague. Looking forward to see how well he has races against Geoffrey Ronoh. Mutai is one of the greatest marathon runners in the world.
G. Mutai vs G. Ronoh
PRAHA (CZE): Geoffrey Mutai’s competitive edge could be tested to the limit in the Prague Grand Prix 10k on Saturday evening by a fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Ronoh who deserved the title of an unknown on the international scene two months ago. The Birell Prague Grand Prix is an IAAF Gold Label Race, the highest category in road racing. “When training has gone well, I believe I can beat anyone, including Geoffrey Mutai. I was pleased with my pb of 59:45 [the Woerthersee Half Marathon at Woerthersee in Klagenfurt, Austria on August 24] so I’m feeling confident,”says Ronoh. Other men to note are Turkey’s Polat Kemboi Arikan, fourth at 10,000m in the European Championships last month and Richard Mengich, whose best of 27:48 was achieved on the super-fast Berlin course on March 30 during a half marathon. Helah Kiprop is the fastest entry in the women’s race with a best of 31:19, set during the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon last year and the Kenyan is one of a quartet of sub-32 minute performers which suggests that last year’s inaugural course record of 32:00 by Kenya’s Josephine Chepkoech will come under attack. Kiprop is an advocate of testing her speed as she prepares for an autumn marathon, so the timing of Prague falls just right. The presence of the Kenyans Correti Chepkoech (31:31), Esther Chemtai (31:33) and the Russian Natalya Pokova (31:55) should ensure strong competition from start to finish in Wenceslas Square. From release by the organisers.
