by Alfonz Juck
Wilson Kipsang battles Kenenisa Bekele, photo by PhotoRun.net
TOKYO MARATHON NEWS
TOKYO (JPN): Wilson Kipsang has revealed at the pre-event press conference he is targeting a time of 2:02:50 in the Tokyo Marathon and is looking to run negative splits to achieve the world record, informs IAAF. “In the Berlin Marathon last fall, I went out too fast (1:01:11). On Sunday, the plan is to run the first half in more reasonable 61:30 (and comeback with 61:20),” he said. However, former world record-holder Toshihiko Seko believes it is not a course for record times. “Although big bridges are eliminated after 35km, nearly a dozen small hills are introduced, and the total elevation gain over the marathon distance may be higher. It is not a world record course.” Kipsang’s main rivals include teammate Dickson Chumba, a former winner of this race.
TOKYO (JPN): Kenya’s Lucy Kabuu is a late withdrawal from the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday due to injury. Another top name to withdraw is Bahrain’s Shumi Dechase also due to injury. Solomon Deksisa is a late addition to the men’s race and Marta Lema has been added to the women’s race.
