Amsterdam Marathon Preview: 2-Time World Champ Abel Kirui Vs Defending Champ Bernard Kipyego And CR Holder Wilson Chebet (2:05:27)
Press Release
October 13, 2015
Abel Kirui is one of the five top athletes joining the elite men’s field. The 33-year-old Kenyan is a several-time world champion over the magical distance. He also pulled off a silver-medal performance at the Olympic Games in London. The other top athletes joining the race are Markos Geneti (2:04:54), Dadi Yami (2:05:41), Feyisa Bekele (2:06:26) and Eliud Tarus (debut). They will be competing with the athletes already announced as leading contenders, who include three-time winner Wilson Chebet, Bernard Kipyego (winner 2014), Tsegaye Mekonnen (2:04:32) and Jonathan Maiyo (2:04:56).
Abel Kirui, several-time world champion and silver medal winner at the Olympic Games, will be lining up at the start of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon for the second time on Sunday 18 October. The 33-year-old Kenyan had a difficult year after the Olympic Games due to a stress fracture. Health problems hampered his customary brilliance at last year’s TCS Amsterdam Marathon and led him to finish 6th. However, Kirui is now back on top form and more motivated than ever to excel at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. The champion runner’s personal best is 2:05:04.
31-year-old Ethiopian Markos Geneti holds the second fastest time. He set his personal best of 2:04:54 at the Dubai Marathon in 2012, where he placed third. His 33-year-old compatriot, Dadi Yami, also posted an excellent time at the same Dubai Marathon, finishing 6th in 2:05:41. He then went on to place second in the Hamburg Marathon. His most recent marathon performance was in Seoul earlier this year, where he came 4th.
The third of the fast Ethiopians, Feyisa Bekele, made his debut at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon in 2012 and came in 4th with a time of 2:06:26. A month later he won the Annecy Marathon. The accomplished runner won his second marathon in Seoul last year, posting a time of 2:07:43.
Kenyan Eliud Tarus will be running his first real marathon, but the 22-year-old athlete has raced in the Netherlands in the past. In 2011 he secured second place in the CPC Run in The Hague with a time of 28:17. Then in 2013 he ran a fast half marathon in Breda, crossing the finish line third (1:02:08). At this year’s CPC Run he showed himself to be in top form, placing 4th overall (1:00:04).
With the top athletes already announced – Wilson Chebet (three-time winner), Bernard Kipyego (winner 2014), Tsegaye Mekonnen (2:04:32) and Jonathan Maiyo (2:04:56) – also among the lineup, this year’s race promises to be yet another exciting battle for victory. With such an outstanding field, the organisers are hoping to lower the course record of 2:05:36.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon will take place on Sunday 18 October. Other events on the programme include the Mizuno Half Marathon, the TCS 8 K and races for children. All distances finish at the Olympic Stadium. For more information visit www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl.