byLarry Eder
Mo Farah, photo by PhotoRun.net
Rivals for Mo Farah, from EME News
LISBON (POR): The 25th Lisbon Half Marathon takes place on Sunday. Double World and Olympic champion Mo Farah (60:00, 2014) may be the star of the men’s field, but he is by no means the fastest. That title falls to the 9th fastest of all-time, Stephen Kibet of Kenya (58:54, 2012), the winner of the October Lisbon half marathon. The defending men’s champion Bedan Karoki will not be returning as he is on the Kenyan team for the World Cross Country, but last year’s runner-up Silas Kipruto (59:39, 2010) will toe the start line. Micah Kogo (59:07, 2012) will be another top Kenyan challenger, while World half marathon bronze medallist Guye Adola (59:06, 2013), who won the New Delhi half marathon in November may lead the Ethiopian charge. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, who missed most of the cross country season due to an injury, will make his debut. In the women’s race, Priscah Jeptoo is the 5th fastest of all-time, with the 66:11 she ran to win the RAK half marathon in 2013. She has also run 65:45, but on the record ineligible Great North Run course. Her competition in Lisbon includes, Rose Chelimo (68:40, 2014), who is unbeaten this season, running a quick 68:53 in Adana. The home nation will be well represented by Sara Moreira (70:08, 2010) and Ana Dulce Felix (68:33, 2011). 2004 Olympic Champion Mizuki Noguchi of Japan is also in the field. The men’s course record is also the world record, 58:23 by Zersenay Tadese in 2010.
(Editor’s note: Mo Farah opened 2015 with a new WR over 2 miles in 8:03.40. Surely the strength from his time in Ethiopia and his speed over sixteen laps in Birmingham. Let’s see how he handles the field at Lisbon tomorrow.).
