Kwemoi not bothered about star-studded field ahead of RAK half marathon
Commonwealth 10,000m bronze medalist, Rodgers Kwemoi is not bothered ahead of facing a star-studded field at the 15th edition of Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon set to be held on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.
Kwemoi will be keen to take over the mantle from compatriot Kibiwott Kandie, who won the 2020 edition. Kandie clocked 58:58 ahead of another Kenyan Alexander Mutiso, who timed 59:16, while Ethiopia’s Mule Wasihun was third in 59:47.
The former world junior 10,000m champion says he is more concerned with his race and not who he will be up against during the race.
“My preparations have been good and that is why I had I will run well in this race,” said the Mount Elgon-born athlete. “I know there will be big names who will be lining up beside me, generally I want to have a good go before embarking on track season because I want to qualify and run for Kenya in 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in July,” he added.
“I know there will be big names who will be lining up beside me, generally I want to have a good go before embarking on track season because I want to qualify and run for Kenya in 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in July,” he added.
The race, which starts at 6 am local time also has Uganda’s world half-marathon record holder, Jacob Kiplimo, Abel Kipchumba, Daniel Mateiko, Alexander Mutiso, Nicholas Kimeli, Titus Mbishei, Richard Kimunyan and Ethiopians Amdework Tadese and Seifu Tura.
In the women’s race, World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri will be keen to record good result as she continues her transition to road races.
Obiri will face Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh Birhane, who is also the defending champion after winning during the 2020 edition.
Birhane won the race in a new world record time of 1:04:31 which was later broken by Kenya’s Ruth Jepng’etich who timed 1:04:02. Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw then lowered the mark after clocking 1:03:44 before her compatriot, Letesenbet Gidey ran a new world record time of 1:02:52.
Brigid Kosgei was second in the women’s race in 1:04:49 while Rosemary Wanjiru finished third in 1:05:34. Other athletes who will be lining up for the highly lucrative race include Kapsait-based Judith Korir, Pauline Esikon, Daisy Cherotich, Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba among others.
