Former world half-marathon bronze medallist Gladys Chesir. She will be among the elite runners in Boston Marathon. [Photo/Capital]
Former world half-marathon bronze medallist Gladys Chesir is among elite Kenyan athletes who will do battle at this year’s Boston Marathon in April in the United States of America.
Iten-based Chesir is ready and focused on finishing on the podium if not winning the race especially after clocking 2:24:51 for the second place on her marathon debut in Amsterdam, the Netherlands last year.
“I am ready and I expect to run a good race. Being my second full marathon, I cannot say much I just want to do my best,” said the reigning All Africa Games 10,000m silver medallist.
“My training is of course and I am hoping to run well,” added the former junior Olympic champion who will have defending champion Edna Kiplagat among other illustrious names for a company in the American city.
Chesir represents the next generation of Kenyan road running. She has had a steady rise as she won a 3,000m gold at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, her first international event and also has a personal best time of 30.41 in 10km.
Chesir will also be joined by former champion Caroline Rotich, Bahrain’s Eunice Kirwa and three-time Dubai Marathon winner Aselefech Mergia of Ethiopia.
Course record holder Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia will return to the scene of her 2014 triumph, while two-time Frankfurt Marathon winner Mamitu Daska will be making her third appearance in Boston.
In the men’s race, Geoffrey Kirui will be competing against Norbert Kigen, Evans Chebet, Felix Kandie and Toronto marathon champion Philemon Rono.
Three-time Amsterdam Marathon winner Wilson Chebet will be making his fifth appearance in Boston. Chebet, who has a personal best of 2:05:27, finished fifth in Boston last year but has twice made it to the podium, in 2014 (second) and third in 2015.