27-04-2012, 06:41 PM
In probably fine weather conditions the menââ¬â¢s leading group is expected to go through half way in 63:50 minutes. This pace would be well inside the present course record, which was set by Iaroslav Musinschi (Moldova) two years ago with 2:08:32. Seboka Diriba Tola will be the favourite since he improved to 2:06:17 in Dubai in January. With this personal best he is the fastest runner ever entered into the METRO GROUP Marathon Duesseldorf.
But regarding the depth of the menââ¬â¢s elite field this is also unique for this race. Besides Tola there are five more runners who have been faster than 2:09: Joseph Ngeny (2:08:10), Evans Ruto (both Kenya/2:08:36), Yuki Kawauchi (Japan/2:08:37), Duncan Koech (2:08:38) and Abraham Chelanga (both Kenya/2:08:43). Additionally the defending champion Nahashon Kimaiyo will also return. The Kenyan, who has a PB of 2:10:36, clocked 2:10:53 in very warm weather conditions last year.
ââ¬ÅOn Sunday I want to show in Duesseldorf that I can compete with the Africans,ââ¬Â said Yuki Kawauchi during a press conference on Friday. ââ¬ÅMy goal is to run at least 2:10 here. If they run 63:50 minutes for half way, this will be fine for me. I have already run a 63:30 split in Tokyo before.ââ¬Â For Yuki Kawauchi this will be the first time he competes in Europe. He is aware that there is quite a big Japanese community in Duesseldorf. ââ¬ÅI want to show them something on Sunday,ââ¬Â he said.
In the womenââ¬â¢s race organisers hope that the eight year-old course record set by Luminita Zaituc (Germany/2:26:44) will finally be broken. Kebebush Haile Lema is the one who is supposed to be able to go faster than Zaituc in 2004. The 26 year-old Ethiopian enters the event with a personal best of 2:24:09. Fellow-Ethiopians Gishu Mindaye (2:28:30), Melkam Gisaw (2:29:12) and Fantu Eticha Jimma (2:30:25) could do well as well. Kenyaââ¬â¢s Agnes Jeruto plans to run a very fast debut marathon. While her half marathon best of 72:03 does not suggest something spectacular she targets a 2:25 time.
Two German runners hope to beat the national qualifying time for the Olympics in Duesseldorf: Jan Fitschen, the 10,000 m European Champion from 2006, will have to improve from 2:15:40 to 2:12:00 to book a place in London, while Anna Hahner will have to reach 2:30:00 in her debut marathon. Unfortunately André Pollmächer and Melanie Kraus had both had to cancel their starts due to injuries.
But regarding the depth of the menââ¬â¢s elite field this is also unique for this race. Besides Tola there are five more runners who have been faster than 2:09: Joseph Ngeny (2:08:10), Evans Ruto (both Kenya/2:08:36), Yuki Kawauchi (Japan/2:08:37), Duncan Koech (2:08:38) and Abraham Chelanga (both Kenya/2:08:43). Additionally the defending champion Nahashon Kimaiyo will also return. The Kenyan, who has a PB of 2:10:36, clocked 2:10:53 in very warm weather conditions last year.
ââ¬ÅOn Sunday I want to show in Duesseldorf that I can compete with the Africans,ââ¬Â said Yuki Kawauchi during a press conference on Friday. ââ¬ÅMy goal is to run at least 2:10 here. If they run 63:50 minutes for half way, this will be fine for me. I have already run a 63:30 split in Tokyo before.ââ¬Â For Yuki Kawauchi this will be the first time he competes in Europe. He is aware that there is quite a big Japanese community in Duesseldorf. ââ¬ÅI want to show them something on Sunday,ââ¬Â he said.
In the womenââ¬â¢s race organisers hope that the eight year-old course record set by Luminita Zaituc (Germany/2:26:44) will finally be broken. Kebebush Haile Lema is the one who is supposed to be able to go faster than Zaituc in 2004. The 26 year-old Ethiopian enters the event with a personal best of 2:24:09. Fellow-Ethiopians Gishu Mindaye (2:28:30), Melkam Gisaw (2:29:12) and Fantu Eticha Jimma (2:30:25) could do well as well. Kenyaââ¬â¢s Agnes Jeruto plans to run a very fast debut marathon. While her half marathon best of 72:03 does not suggest something spectacular she targets a 2:25 time.
Two German runners hope to beat the national qualifying time for the Olympics in Duesseldorf: Jan Fitschen, the 10,000 m European Champion from 2006, will have to improve from 2:15:40 to 2:12:00 to book a place in London, while Anna Hahner will have to reach 2:30:00 in her debut marathon. Unfortunately André Pollmächer and Melanie Kraus had both had to cancel their starts due to injuries.