The Kenyan trio of Peter Wahome, Gilbert Masai and Nicodemus Kimutai hope to dominate the men’s race at the Palermo Marathon in Italy on Sunday.
The organisers revealed that over 2,300 participants from 50 nations have registered.
“We initially capped registration at 2,200 but were overwhelmed by the demand,” said the organisers.
“We extended the limit to 2,400 and now stand at 2,350. The response has been phenomenal.”
The men’s race is shaping up to be a Kenyan showdown.
“This is a major success for Palermo. Despite a packed international marathon calendar, we are proud to host what promises to be an all-Kenyan affair,” the organisers said.
Kimutai enters the race with a glittering resume, including the 2022 Ravenna Marathon crown, where he clocked 2:11:55 ahead of compatriots Nicholas Kipkorir ( 2:16:43 ) and Asbel Kipsang’ ( 2:17:22 ).
He finished third at the 2018 Nice Half Marathon ( 1:01:52 ) and the 2016 Brunssum 10km road race ( 28:46 ). In 2019, he finished eighth at the Prague Marathon in 2:10:00.
Masai’s credentials include a runners-up finish at the 2015 La Ro- chelle Marathon ( 2:09:49 ), victory at the 2017 Berlin Half Marathon ( 59:57 ) and a runners-up finish at the 2015 Prague 10km ( 27:45 ).
In May, he placed second at the Salzburg MarathonWahome is fresh from a fourth- place finish at last month’s Graz Marathon in Austria where he clocked 2:20:09 to trail homeboy Lukas Hollaus ( 2:17:38 ) and com- patriots Gilbert Kipkoech ( 2:18:43 ) and Robert Yegon ( 2:19:14 ).
In May, he placed second at the Salzburg Marathon, clock- ing 2:22:32 behind Peter Her- zog ( 2:21:46 ).
Peris Kiprono is the key con- tender in the women’s race. She clinched the 2012 Mossel Bay Marathon title in 2:39:56 and was third at the 2017 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon, clocking 2:35:17.
In other Sunday races, Felix Kandie and Naomi Tuei will battle a strong Ethiopian lineup at the Nanjing Marathon.
resume includes a victory from the 2015 Prague Marathon ( 2:08:32 ) and runners-up finishes in Prague in 2016 ( 2:08:14 ) and the 2017 Seoul Marathon ( 2:06:03 ).
He will come up against 2019 Seville Marathon runners-up Belay Bedada and 2021 Hamburg Marathon runners-up Masresha Bere — from Ethiopia.
Tuei won the 2024 Huainan Marathon in 2:34:14, 2015 Luxembourg Marathon ( 2:34:24 ).
Her main competitor is Ethio- pia’s Aberu Ayana, the 2023 Lisbon Marathon champion.