To achieve gold label status, we are committed to uplift our South African athletes and boost the Elite field with some global stars who will chase the men’s and women’s course records set last year by Kenyan Willy Kibor Koitile (2:10:45) and Ethiopian Meseret Mengistu Biru (2:30:57).
The men’s field will include nine IAAF Gold Label Status athletes who have run under 2:10.00. David Kemboi Kiyeng, who finished third at the 2009 Paris Marathon in 2:06:26, holds the fastest personal best in the race, while three other men have also dipped under 2:08:00.
Elite international men’s field:
- David Kemboi Kiyeng, Kenya – 2:06:26 PB
- Abraham Girma Bekele, Ethiopia – 2:06:48 PB
- Peter Lotogor Kamais, Kenya – 2:07:37 PB
- Dereje Debele Tulu, Ethiopia – 2:07:48 PB
- Yuki Kawauchi, Japan – 2:08:14 PB
- Willy Kibor Koitile, Kenya – 2:08:32 PB (defending champion)
- Haile Haja Gemeda, Ethiopia – 2:08:35 PB
- Nicholas Kipngeno Kemboi, Qatar – 2:08:51 PB
- Andualem Belay Shiferaw, Ethiopia 2:09:59 PB
The South African rising stars consist of the following athletes:
- Xolisa Tyali – 2:16:03 PB, Johannesburg, September 2014
- Gladwin Mzazi – 2:17:43 PB, Fukuoka, December 2014
- Africa Mailola – 2:17:58 PB, Cape Town, September 2014
The domestic contingent also includes some of the country’s most accomplished athletes, including 43-year-old Hendrick Ramaala (2:06:55 PB), who won the 2004 New York Marathon, and 42-year-old Shadrack Hoff (2:11:51), a former SA record holder over 5 000m on the track, with both men targeting the veterans’ title. Shaun Meiklejohn (53), who won the Comrades ultra-marathon in 1995, lines up in the masters’ division.
The elite women’s line-up also boasts a handful of promising local athletes, with a strong international field still to be revealed.
Already confirmed are:
- Cornelia Joubert – 2:39:07 PB, Mont Choisy, 2013 (former SA marathon champion)
- Zintle Xiniwe – 2:41:48 PB, Cape Town, September 2014 (SA marathon champion)
- Nolene Conrad – 2:54:59 PB, Hannover, April 2014
- Diana-Lebo Phalula – 42.2km debut, one of South Africa’s leading road runners
Ultra-distance specialist Caroline Wostmann will also attend the event, as a guest of the organisers, turning out in the Peace Run 10km race. Wostmann, who became only the fourth person to win the Comrades and Two Oceans ultras in the same year earlier this season, was named Athlete of the Year at the annual women’s GSport Awards held last week.
The remainder of the elite 10km field will be announced closer to the race.
“The elite field plays a key role in our attempt to gain Gold Label status, as we need to ensure there are at least five Gold Label athletes from five different countries,” – Elana Meyer.
Quelle des Textes: Veranstalter