The record for the Prague Marathon, scheduled for 14 May, is about to come under assault. There are five men competing in the 12th annual running of the event who have each completed marathons with times under the Prague course record.
Prague International Marathon organizers introduced several of the contenders likely to challenge the record of 2:08:52 set in 1998 by Kenya Elijah Lagat. They include Steven Cheptot Matebo and Noah Kibwambok Bor, both of Kenya. The top Czech contender for top honours is Jan Bláha who was sixth in the race last year.
Elite women runners at the event included Russian Alina Ivanova and Caroline Chepkorir Kwambai of Kenya who, six weeks ago, set a course record for the Hervis Prague Half Marathon, clocking in at 1:10:08.
A course change from years past also bodes well for runners who are gunning for the record. According to race director, Paulo Ottone, the course has been re-routed along an 8 km stretch, making the course smoother, flatter and faster.
Elite start lists:
MEN -
Steven Cheptot Matebo, KEN
Noah Kibwambok Bor, KEN
David Kiptarus Ruto, KEN
Hassan Bekele Shami, QAT
Habtamu Negassa, ETH
Joseph Kiprotich Ngeny, KEN
Cavid Chepkwony, KEN
Joachim Nishrimana, BDI
Rachid Arour, TUN
Silvio Trivelloni, ITA
Alexi Rybalchenko, UKR
Jan Plaha, CZE
Pavel Novak, CZE
Abraham Yilma, ETH
Pavel Faschingbauer, CZE
Vesa Erojarvi, FIN
Marko Vaittinen, FIN
Fabrizio Trivelloni, ITA
Petr Betik, CZE
David Kemboi Kiyeng, KEN
John Totich, KEN
Wikaw Birhanu Zeleke, ETH
Elijah Nyabuti, KEN, pacemaker
Joseph Keino, KEN, pacemaker
WOMEN -
Alina Ivanova, RUS
Caroline Chepkorir Kwambai, KEN
Leila Aman Tola, ETH
Mary Ptikany, KEN
Caroline Kilel Cheptonui, KEN
Fatima Cabral, POR
Liliya Yadzhak, RUS
Ivana Martincova, CZE
Hadish Negasi Letay, ETH
Organisers
