Paul Lonyangata to defend his title in Honolulu

Former World U20 10,000m bronze medallist, Paul Kipchumba Lonyangata will be heading to Hawaii to defend his title at the 52nd edition of the Honolulu Marathon scheduled for this Sunday (01) in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The 31 year-old who holds the third fastest time on paper of 2:06.10 that he set seven years ago at Paris Marathon, where he took the honors, has prepared so well to defend his title as this will be his second race to participate in this year after finishing ninth in April at the Daegu Marathon.

Lonyangata will not have an easy ride as he will battle with his compatriot Barnabas Kiptum, the fastest man in the field with a time of 2:04.17 that he got three years ago at the Generali Milano Marathon, where he took silver and Japan’s Suguru Osako of 2:05.29.

READ ALSO: Cynthia Limo heads back to Honolulu to defend her title

The three will also face-off with the ever smiling machine, Reuben Kerio of 2:07.00, Eritrea’s Amanuel Mesel of 2:08.17 and Kensuke Horio of 2:08.25 from Japan.

The race organisers have assembled a strong deep elite field to try and lower the race course record of 2:07.59, set five years ago by Titus Ekiru from Kenya.

The winner will take home Kshs 3,245,000 as prize money and Kshs 1,298,000 for breaking the course record.

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“The 52nd Honolulu marathon has a deep field of top athletes, including both defending champions Paul Lonyangata and Cynthia Limo,” said Dr. Barahal.  “They will be challenged by a top field of international athletes, all competing for the $25,000 first prize as well as a solid gold first place medal.”

The solid-gold first place medal is hand-crafted by race sponsor SGC of Japan.  The Honolulu Marathon is the only marathon in the world to present winners with a solid-gold medal in addition to their prize money.

“Their dedication to excellence mirrors the spirit of our event,” said Dr. Barahal of SGC.

That race has seen explosive growth, and organizers are expecting about 9,000 runners this year.

LEADING TIME

42KM MEN

1. Paul Lonyangata          (KEN)  2:06.10
2. Yemane Haileselassie (ERI)    2:14.44
3. Amanuel Mesel           (ERI)    2:08.17
4. Reuben Kerio              (KEN)  2:07.00
5. Barnabas Kiptum        (KEN)  2:04.17
6. Suguru Osako             (JPN) 2:05.29
7. Kensuke Horio            (JPN)  2:08.25
8. Ryo Murata                 (JPN)      Debut