The men's focus in Prague: David Makori Omiti, Benjamin Pseret, Kenneth Mungara and Pavel Novak (© Volkswagen Prague Marathon organisers)
Kenyan David Makori and Alina Ivanova of Russia are the runners to beat at the 14th Volkswagen Prague Marathon in the Czech capital on Sunday.
The Volkswagen Prague Marathon is an IAAF Silver Label Road Race.
Makori, 34, has been a regular fixture on the Italian road running circuit, and brings to Prague a 2:08:49 career best from the 2002 Venice Marathon. He was 12th earlier this year at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.
His chief challengers are compatriots Benjamin Pseret, who has a 2:10:18 personal best, and Kenneth Mungara, who has a 2:17 performance to his credit from a high altitude race in Nairobi in 2006.
Attracting local attention will be Pavel Novák, who will be aiming to qualify for the Czech Olympic team.
“For me, qualifying for the Olympics would be a dream, a great personal achievement,” Novák, who needs to run in 2:15:00 to qualify for the Olympics, said.
“I will be fighting until the very end to make it.”
Ivanova, the winner in Prague in 2000 and 2006, can boast of a 2:25:34 career best, but will have to run about two minutes faster to secure a spot on the on the hotly-contested Russian squad for Beijing. Ivanova turned the Marathon after a successful career as a race walker, having won the 10 kilometre event at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo.
Others to watch include Nailya Yulamanova (2:30:54 PB), the 2006 Russian champion; Kenyan Caroline Kwambai (2:28:47); and triathlete Nicole Klinger of Liechtenstein. Brazilian Sirlene de Pinho, with a 2:35:45 career best, is also seeking qualification for Beijing.
"I have one shot, one chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing, and that’s in Prague," de Pinho said. The Brazilian, yet to win a marathon, has triumphed in several half marathons, including in Rio de Janeiro in 2005. But she’ll need to run under 2:35:10 to get to Beijing.
Organisers have attracted elite athletes from 20 countries. In all, runners from 73 countries will be competing, a record for the event. More than 5000 runners are expected at the start line in the city’s Old Town Square. Czech Television will broadcast the race live, and viewers around the world can also follow the race online.
Organisers for the IAAF
