The 2008 Olympic 5,000m bronze medallist Edwin Soi will on Sunday attempt Geoffrey Mutai's Bogota Half Marathon 1:02:20 course record.
Mutai, a two-time New York Marathon champion set the time at the 2011 edition followed by Ethiopia’s Deriba Mergat (1:04:49) and Wilson Chebet (1:04:57).
Soi believes the competitive field and favourable weather conditions make the record within reach.
“I believe the competitive field assembled this year and favourable weather make it possible to go for the record,” Soi remarked.
He will be joined by compatriots Philemon Kiplimo, the 2022 Prague Half Marathon champion, Cali 10km Road race champion Ezra Tanui and Yangzhou Half Marathon champion Edward Koonyo.
The Kenyans will face stiff competition from Venice Marathon champion Solomon Mutai of Uganda, 2023 Belgrade Marathon champion Chakib Lachgar of Spain and 2022 Hannover Marathon champion Hendrik Pfeiffer of Germany.
“I did not do so well in the race last year. With my preparations this year, I am confident about running well and achieving my target,” added Soi.
He clocked 1:04:55 for third place, trailing Tanui (1:04:50) and Morocco’s Omar Chitachen (1:03:50).
“I have run here three times, winning once. I want to add another win this year,” he revealed.
Soi claimed his first title in 2022 in 1:05:27, ahead of Uganda’s Andrew Kwemoi (1:05:29) and Daniel Muindi (1:06:45).
Napoli City Half Marathon champion Angela Tanui will seek to reclaim her crown in the women's edition.
“I was not 100 per cent ready last year. My preparations before the race were not good either,” Tanui noted.
Tanui placed fifth in 1:16:31 in a race she was bested by Daisy Kimeli (1:15:12), Ethiopia’s Anchialem Haymanot (1:15:34) and Colombia’s Angie Orjuela (1:15:40).
She won the title in 2022 in 1:13:29 with Veronicah Wanjiru (1:15:26) and Ecuador’s Rosa Chacha (1:16:43) trailing.
“I am ready this year. My preparations have been good,” she said.
Tanui will face defending champion Kimeli and the Ethiopian duo of Aberu Ayana, the Lisbon Marathon champion, and Frankfurt Marathon champion Buzunesh Getachew.