2019 World Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich will headline Kenya’s charge at the Buenos Aires Marathon on Sunday in the Argentine capital.
Chepngetich will be eager to better her second runners-up finish from last year.
Last year, the 30-year-old, clocked 1:06:18, finishing third behind Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh (1:06:10) and Gutemi Shone (1:06:12).
Race organisers have highlighted the event’s prestige, noting that World Athletics have recognised the Buenos Aires Marathon as one of the top 10 races globally, thanks to its rapid course, massive participation and top-notch organization.
“This year, the 21k race was selected by World Athletics as one of the top 10 races in the world due to its fast course, massive participation and excellent organisation,” the statement read.
The marathon also ranks among the top three fastest half marathons worldwide and is the leading event in Latin America, drawing over 20,000 participants each year.
Chepng'etich accolades include two Chicago Marathon titles from 2021 (2:22:31) and 2022 (2:14:18).
She is also a second runner-up in the 2020 London Marathon, where she clocked 2:22:05 behind Brigid Kosgei (2:18:58) and USA’s Sara Hall (2:22:01).
She won gold in the marathon at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar in a time of 2:32:43, beating Bahraini Rose Chelimo (2:33:46) and Namibia’s Helalia Johannes (2:34:15).
Adding to her illustrious career are victories in the 2019 Dubai Marathon (2:17:08), 2022 Nagoya Women’s Marathon (2:17:18), 2021 Istanbul Half Marathon (1:04:02), and the 2018 Istanbul Marathon (2:18:35).
Joining Chepngetich on the start line will be compatriot Joyce Chepkemoi, the Madrid Half Marathon champion.
Chepkemoi boasts a personal best of 1:06:19, set at the 2021 Lisboa Half Marathon, where she placed third behind Ethiopia’s Tsehay Gemechu (1:06:06) and Daisy Cherotich (1:06:15).
Her accolades include victories from the 2021 Valencia 15km Road race (47:24), the 2018 Trento Half Marathon (1:09:21) and a runners-up spot at the 2022 Paris Half Marathon (1:07:37).
The duo will face stiff competition from 2022 Paris Half Marathon champion Tesfay Nigisti, who has a personal best of 1:06:17 from her sixth-place finish at the 2021 Valencia Half Marathon.
In the men's race, Cosmas Mwangi, the 2023 Milano Half Marathon champion, will be looking to improve on last year's performance, where he finished third in an all-Kenyan podium sweep.
Last year, Mwangi placed third in 59:29, trailing Roncer Konga (59:08) and Felix Kipkoech (59:28). Mwangi will be accompanied by Richard Yator, the 2023 Ras Al Khaimah second runner-up, as they take on 2022 Buenos Aires champion Gerba Dibaba of Ethiopia.
