• Kandie is a three time Valencia Half Marathon Champion in 2020 (57:32), 2022 (58:10) and 2023 (57:40).
• In the women’s elite race, Tokyo Marathon runner-up Rosemary Wanjiru leads the charge.
Image: FILE
Former World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie spearheads a stellar lineup at the Berlin Marathon on September 29.
The organisers anticipate a record-breaking turnout of over 50,000 participants, surpassing last year’s 48,000.
“The organisers of the BMW Berlin Marathon are expecting a record number of more than 50,000 runners on September 29, when Germany's most high-class and spectacular road race will take place for the 50th time,” the organisers said in a statement.
“However, two names are missing from the start list this time. Kenya's superstar Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopia's running legend Kenenisa Bekele. For the first time since 2014, neither of them will be taking part in Berlin.”
Kipchoge is the all-time Berlin Marathon champion having won a record five times. Last year, Kipchoge cut the tape in 2:02:42 followed by Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13) and Tadese Tekele of Ethiopia (2:03:24).
Kandie is a three-time Valencia Half Marathon champion from 2020 (57:32), 2022 (58:10) and 2023 (57:40).
He boasts titles from the 2020 Prague Half Marathon (58:38), the 2022 Adizero Road to Records 10km race (26:50) and the 2020 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (58:58).
He has a silver at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships (58:54) and a bronze in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (27:20.34).
He will team up with 2022 Castellon Marathon winner Ronald Korir, Amsterdam Marathon runner-up Cyprian Kotut, 2023 World Road Running bronze medallist Samwel Mailu and Shanghai Marathon champion Philemon Kiptoo.
Ethiopia’s Takele, last year’s silver medallist, is expected to pose a serious challenge for the Kenyans, alongside compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros, the 2023 Osaka Marathon champion.
Tokyo Marathon runner-up Rosemary Wanjiru leads the charge in the women’s elite race.
The 29-year-old’s accolades include victories at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon (2:16:28) and the Hokuren Distance Challenge in the 10,000m (30:38.18) in Japan.
She is also a runner-up at the 2020 Valencia 10km Road race (29:50) and the 2022 Berlin Marathon (2:18:00).
She faces a rich Ethiopian contingent led by Dubai Marathon champion Tigist Ketema, 2018 Shanghai Marathon champion Yebrgual Melese, Paris Marathon champion Mestawut Fikir and 2023 Osaka Marathon runner-up Sisay Meseret.
Also in the mix is three-time Osaka Marathon champion Mizuki Matsuda of Japan.