Double Olympic champion and marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge has touched down in Germany ahead of the much anticipated Berlin Marathon scheduled for Sunday, September 24.
A total of 45,000 elite and amateur marathoners from across the world will be taking part in this year’s edition of the marathon, often referred to as one of the fastest in the world.
The Berlin marathon is one of the most prestigious marathons in the world as it presents the top echelon in the sport of marathon running.
Kipchoge has a history of excellence in the marathon winning it four times in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 while setting a world record in 2018 and 2022.
Last year the 38-year-old won the 2022 edition with a time of 2:01.09 beating his own previous record he set in 2018 by 30 seconds.
Amos Kipruto who has a personal best of 2:03:13 in the race will be joining Kipchoge and hoping to get one over the elite marathoner.
Kipruto also stands as the second fastest entrant. He’s familiar with competing against Kipchoge, having come second to him in Tokyo 2022.
They will be joined by 2010 Prague Marathon winner Eliud Kiptanui who has a record of 2:05.21 in the marathon.
Alongside the three will be Jonathan Maiyo, Ronald Korir, Philemon Kiplimo and Mark Korir.
Germany's Amanal Petros, on the other hand, will be aiming to outdo his record of 2:06:27 and give the Kenyans a tough competition.
Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, the current women’s titleholder from the previous edition, will be seeking to defend her title. She recorded a remarkable time of 2:15:37.
The Kenyan flag will be hoisted by a 10,000m bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games, Sheila Chepkirui.
On the home front, Germany will be closely watching Amanal Petros, their national record holder.
A cash prize of Sh7 million ($50,000) is up for grabs in both the men’s and women’s races where everyone will be eying to dethrone the two defending champions.