The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on December 15 will have the World’s best ever elite athlete field assembled for a half marathon and the most competitive ever, according to Jos Hermens of GSC, the elite athlete coordinators who have put together this field.
At the start line on December 15, 2013 will be the fastest man and woman of 2013, four men and women out of the top 10 of 2013 rankings and 7 men out of the top 15. Among the men will also be the 2012 World half marathon champion and the women’s bronze medallist, besides the defending men’s and women’s champions and the 2nd placed man and woman from 2012.
“We are very proud to present the best half marathon field ever in history. This elite field includes 11 men who have run under 60.00, of which 4 have run even below 59.00. Also present will be the world’s fastest man (Geoffrey Kipsang 58.54) and women (Lucy Kabuu 66.09, 2nd on all time rankings!) of 2013, over the half marathon distance and 12 athletes who have won one or more medals at various World Championships and one World Record holder. In my opinion this shows the quality and depth of the field. On a good day, with good weather circumstances, good pacemakers and athletes, big things are possible. We feel that with this elite field it’s possible to challenge both the course records of 59.15 for men and 66.54 for women and even to look further than that,” says Hermens.
Kipsang clocked 58.54 while winning the 2013 RAK Half, while Kabuu’s timing of 66.09 is the fastest of the year and the second fastest ever. Other athletes to watch include defending champion Edwin Kipyego, Sammy Kitwara who has run twice sub 59.00, Dennis Kimetto the 25km World record holder, Wilson Kiprop World Half Marathon Champion in 2010 and won Lisbon Half and Roma Ostia Half in 2013, Ethiopian Atsedu Tsegay 2012 World Leading men with 58.47, Eritrean surprise this spring Ghirmay Ghebreslassie 60.09 to name a few.
In the women’s field Kabuu will face stiff competition; defending champion Wude Ayalew, Gladys Cherono Silver Medallist over 10.000m at the 2013 World Championships, Florence Kiplagat won Berlin Marathon in 2013 and double World Champion, Emily Chebet double World Cross Champion and Ethiopian Meseret Hailu who won the World Half Marathon Champion title in 2012.
Speak Your Mind