Bazu Worku
With less than four weeks to go before the 2013 De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven, the organisers are happy to announce that two world class Ethiopian runners, Yemane Tsegay Adhane and Bazu Worku, will be on the start line for this year’s race in the Dutch city on Sunday 13 October.
Adhane, 28, has a personal best of 2:04:28 set when winning the 2012 Rotterdam Marathon. He has also twice competed in the IAAF World Championships marathon, finishing fourth in 2009 and eighth last month in Moscow.
Worku, 23, has a personal best of 2:05:25 from when he finished third in the 2010 Berlin Marathon. He has already won two marathons on American soil this year, in Houston and Duluth.
In addition to the Ethiopian pair, Kenya’s Nathaniel Kipkosgei will return to Eindhoven for the 30th edition of the race.
Kipkosgei caused a sensation two years ago when he was employed as a pace maker but, with the permission of the organisers, finished the race in second place on his debut over the full distance in 2:06:28, which remains his best time.
There are also other four runners in the race who have gone under 2:08.
“On paper, this is the best field that has stood on the start line in Eindhoven,” said race director Peer Pulles.
“Our target is to improve the course record again, for the third consecutive year. In addition to the seven runners who have already gone under 2:08 in their careers, there will be some talented marathon debutants from Ethiopia and Kenya. Although they are not well known names, it’s very possible that some of them could make a big break through.
“If everything goes well, and the weather on 13 October is cooperative, I think the chances are good that someone will run faster than the course record from last year,” added Pulles.
The De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven course record is held by Kenya’s Dickson Chumba, who ran 2:05:46 in 2012.
Ahead of this year’s race, Pulles and his team have modified the final kilometres of the race to take out some of the twists and turns that characterised the closing stages of the old course in a bid to give more spectators the opportunity to see the finish of the race, and the top runners the opportunity to go even faster.
The finish line in the De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven has been moved this year to the Vestdijk street in the centre of the city but the final two kilometres still pass many of Eindhoven’s scenic locations.
The De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven itself is one of just five races in the city on 13 October.
There is also a half marathon (which incorporates the De Lage Landen Company Run), the Dela 4×10.5km marathon relay, the IAK 5km City Run and Trudo 2.5km Mini Marathon.