Komon returns to Berlin
 

Kenya’s 10 k world record holder Leonard Komon returns to the ASICS Grand 10 in Berlin on Sunday. The 23 year-old intends to further improve his course record, which he had set a year ago. In 2010 Komon had won the 10 k race in the city centre of the German capital with 27:12 minutes. This is the fastest 10 k road time ever run on German soil. Komon’s world record stands at 26:44 minutes.

One of Komon’s strongest rivals will be a runner from his own training group: 21 year-old Josphat Bett. The Kenyan, who had won the World Junior 10,000 m title in 2008, has improved his 10,000 m personal best to 26:48.99 minutes earlier this year in Eugene (USA).

The women’s race will also feature a world-class runner: Mara Yamauchi is Great Britain’s number two marathon runner behind world record holder Paula Radcliffe. Yamauchi had achieved a remarkable sixth place in the Olympic marathon in 2008 and then improved her personal best at the classic distance to 2:23:12. With this time she came in second in the London Marathon in 2009. After a period of injury problems the 38 year-old now prepares for the Yokohama Marathon in November, where she intends to qualify for the Olympic Games in London 2012. For Yamauchi, who has a 10 k personal best of 31:43, the ASICS Grand 10 will be a major test before her marathon race in Japan. She should be able to improve the two year-old course record set by Kenyan Joan Aiyabei (33:48).