Abel Kirui headlines Kobe marathon

The double back-to-back World marathon Champion, Abel Kirui will be the man to watch at the 12th edition of the Kobe marathon slated for November 17, 2024 in Kobe, Japan.

The 42 year-old who is the oldest on the entry list comes to this race with the fastest time on paper of 2:05.04 that he got fifteen years ago at the Rotterdam Marathon where he finished in third place.

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Kirui who is also the 2012 Olympic marathon silver medallist, has not raced for a long time due to an incurring injury that has hindered him from competition with his last race being at Fukuoka International Marathon in December of last year.

“I have had challenges with a nagging knee injury but am happy that I have been invited to compete at the Kobe marathon then after I will come back to prepare for Washington 10 mile race in Jerry Blossom next year,” said Kirui.

Kirui who intends to hang his spikes next year after more than 20 years of active running will not have an easy time as he will face the reigning Gold Coast Marathon champion, Timothy Kipkorir, who holds a life time best of 2:07.53 that he got early this year in Seoul and Barnaba Kipkoech of 2:08.21, a record he got two years ago in Spain.

The race organisers have assembled a strong deep elite field that will be chasing to lower the race course record of 2:08.46, set five years ago by Geofrey Kusuro from Uganda.

LEADING TIME

42KM MEN

1. Abel Kirui               (KEN) 2:05.04
2. Timothy Kipkorir   (KEN) 2:07.53
3. Barnaba Kipkoech  (KEN) 2:08.21