Previews07 Oct 2011


20km title holders return for defence in Paris - PREVIEW

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John Mwangangi sizzles to a 45:26 ten-miler in Zandaam (© organisers)

Kenya is set to make the show for the “20 Kilomètres de Paris”, an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race, as title defenders John Mwangangi and Rose Chelimo will line up on Sunday (9) of the 33th edition of this event.


The forecast is for rain and a temperature around 15°C.


The race route has been modified in three segments, however the start for more than 21,000 participants from 40 countries will still take place on Sunday at 10:00 underneath the Eiffel Tour on Pont d’Iéna.


Kenyan runners should as usual be to the fore as the course leads the pack to the north up to Avenue Foch and turn to west to enter the Bois de Boulogne. Mwangangi helped to establish his name in 2010 by winning this race, has personal bests at 27:53 for 10km and 59:56 for Half Marathon, and is obviously in shape again this year as he won the Rabat Half Marathon.


However, Mwangangi will find in Marathon specialist Eliud Kiptanui his strongest rival, whose potential over shorter distances is yet to be fulfilled. Kiptanui was the winner of the Prague Marathon last year in 2:05:39, was six at this year’s World Championships, but his personal best over the Half-Marathon (21,197km) is only 1:01:11. Such is his potential he might actually be in a position to break Evans Cheruiyot’s Paris 20km record of 57:19.


The modifications to the race route mean that the runners will use the Route des Lacs in Bois de Boulogne towards Auteuil’s hippodrome, a slight uphill for 6km, which should reduce the number of series contenders for the victory, and then will follow the Seine river, via Louvre’s Carousel. The race’s outcome will be settled on Quai Branly with the remaining two kilometres to the finish a painful uphill.


We can expect other Kenyans to be in contention, such as Geoffrey Kenesi (winner at Magny le Hongre’s 10km), Evans Kosgei (winner at Half Marathon Marcq en Baroeul) and Isaiah Ondieki (runner-up to Kesgei in Marcq), who have all shown good form this season.


If there is a surprise for Kenya then perhaps it might come from Michael Tesfay or Samson Kiflemarian, to give Eritrea a first win in Paris? Tesfay already came close with a second place during the 2009 edition, while Kiflemarian has a World title at Mountain Running last year to his credit.


The women’s competition sees Mirriam Wangari, the winner in Paris in 2007, 2008 and 2009, who was prevented from winning a record 4th victory last year when defeated by Rose Chelimo. The battle between both runners will be interesting but Sarah Chepchirir has even better career references. With 31:17 at 10km and 1:08:07 at Half Marathon, Chepchirir is clearly the fastest of the field. Winner of Nancy’s Half Marathon and the Humarathon this year, one should look no further to find a firm favourite. Wangari’s 1:05:30 race record might be in threat if weather conditions remain favourable.


Kenya will also provide lots of outsiders who have performed well in 2011, like Lucy Macharia, winner in Marcq, Gladys Chepchirchir, winner at Marouilles’ 20km of Cynthia Jerotich, the best in Tours’ 20km.


P-J Vazel for the IAAF


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