Kenya’s trio to challenge Ethiopian star Kenenisa Bekele, Uganda’s Cheptegei in Valencia Marathon
Kibiwott Kandie, Alexander Mutiso, and Titus Kipruto will join Uganda's superstar Joshua Cheptegei and Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele at the Valencia Marathon on Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Cheptegei will be making his debut at the distance and will have a promising Kenyan unit as his challengers.
Mutiso with a personal best of 2:03:29 and Kipruto with 2:04:54 are formidable candidates against the Ugandan. However, Cheptegei, who trains at Kapchorwa, is seen as the favourite given that he has won three world 10,000m titles, the Olympic 5000m gold, and broken world records at 5000m and 10,000m.
In 2019, he set a 10km road record, followed by his unbroken world 10,000m record of 26:11.00 in 2020, all achieved in Valencia.
Cheptegei's target
Although he is a top candidate to win and even break the record, Cheptegei remained cautious.
“I’m not actually looking at running fast times because it is still a new distance for me, and I’m still learning in training. I want to learn, and the best for me would be seeing myself on the podium.”
“The track has taught me to be patient when chasing my goals. I will approach the marathon in the same regard. If you are not patient in the marathon, it means you will not be able to reach your destination and goals," Cheptegei told Athletics Weekly.
The 27-year-old explained why he will approach the race with respect.
“I want to approach this marathon with a lot of respect, as it is something new for me. I want to approach it from a new dimension.
"All of us are built differently; what is important for me is to just enjoy the race and see what happens after 35 kilometres," he added.
Bekele to run
Ethiopia's unit consists of Kenenisa Bekele, Gabriel Geay of Tanzania, Getaneh Molla, Sisay Lemma, Leul Gebresilase, Chalu Deso, and Dawit Wolde. 
Daniel do Nascimento of Brazil will also attempt to outwit his African top rivals as he has been entered to race.
Although eyes will probably be on Cheptegei, Bekele, 41, who holds world records in 5000m and 10,000m and enjoys a marathon best of 2:01:41 from 2019, will attract considerable limelight.
Bekele hopes to shine in Valencia and boost his chances of getting a slot on the Ethiopian 2024 Olympic Games team.
Kandie, who set a world half-marathon record of 57:32 in Valencia three years ago and then beat a top-class field in the same race in 57:40 in October this year, will hope to shine again on the course.
Although he has attempted a marathon run before, it was not quite impressive given that he clocked 2:13:43 in New York City two years ago.
