NAIROBI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- There will be five top Kenyans eyeing the gold at this year's Rotterdam Marathon, which will be held on April 8 in the Dutch port city.
Kenya's Laban Korir may not boast the fastest time in the elite line-up, but the former Toronto and Amsterdam marathon champion is confident he will take the honors in Rotterdam as he aims to build a strong claim for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Korir holds a fastest time of 2:05:54, but he is aware of the challenge as Kenya has over 50 runners who have run under two hours and six minutes.
"Time is crucial in marathon and from Kenya, you must win top marathon races to have any hopes of making the teams to the Olympics or the World Championships. This is what is missing in my collection and I hope in 2019 and 2020 will be able to get the national team call," he said on Monday in Nairobi.
Korir is leading a Kenyan galaxy of stars, which also includes defending champion Marius Kipserem (2:06:11), Felix Kirwa (2:06:13) and Festus Talam (2:06:13).
Kipserem will be returning to the Dutch Port city having won last year's race. Kipserem of Kenya won last year's Rotterdam Marathon in a personal best time of 2 hours, six minutes and 11 seconds, making the most of warm and almost wind-free conditions on the course around the Dutch port.
Last year's silver medalist Solomon Deksisa of Ethiopia (2:06:22) will skip this year's event but there will still be a strong challenge from his countrymen.
Organizers said that eight athletes with sub-2:07 personal best (PBs) will compete in the Rotterdam Marathon. The line-up is headed by Ethiopians Getu Feleke (2:04:50), Mule Wasihun (2:05:39), former winner Abera Kuma (2:05:56) and Kelkie Gezahegh (2:06:56).
In the women's race, Kenya's Visiline Jepkesho (2:21:37) faces Japanese veteran Kayoko Fukushi (2:22:17) and Ethiopia's Biruktayit Eshetu (2:23:51).
Jepkesho aims to put her claim on the title and have a Kenyan on the winner's podium after last year's near miss, which saw Leterbrhan Gebreslasea of Ethiopia win the women's race in 2:26:15. Fellow Ethiopian Sutume Kebede was second in 2:28:04 and Rebecca Korir of Kenya was third in 2:29:16.
"I am ready for the assignment in Rotterdam. But there will always be a challenge in this class of running. But I hope to take it in my strides and deliver the gold to Kenya," said Jepkesho.
