European half marathon record-holder Julien Wanders and Norway’s Sondre Moen will target 5km and 10km lifetime bests respectively at the ASICS Be (at) Your Personal Best event in Morton on Saturday (24).

Wanders set his previous 5km best in Monaco two years ago with 13:29, a performance that was a world record at the time. It came just nine days after he set a European half marathon record of 59:13, and he went on to set a European 10km record of 27:13 in early 2020.

This weekend’s event will be Wanders’ first race of 2021. The Swiss distance runner last competed in December 2020, placing eighth at the Valencia Half Marathon in 59:55.

His toughest opposition could come from Somalia’s Ilyas Yonis Osman, France’s Felix Bour and Kenyan duo Boniface Kibiwott and Mathew Kibarus.

Moen, meanwhile, has been focused on the longer distances in recent years, but he’ll step down to the 10km on Saturday in a bid to reclaim the Norwegian record. He clocked a national record of 27:55 in 2017 but it was broken two years later by teenager Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who ran 27:54.

Moen’s most recent outing was a 1:01:42 half marathon run in Dresden at the end of March, and he’ll have to be at his best to hold off the likes of 2012 world indoor 1500m champion Abdelaati Iguider. The Moroccan will be contesting just the second 10km of his career after running 28:22 on his debut in December.

European marathon champion Koen Naert of Belgium, 2014 European marathon champion Daniele Meucci of Italy, Kenya’s Hillary Kipkoech and Italy’s Lorenzo Dini should also feature among the leading contenders.

Less than two weeks after running a 2:30:33 marathon, Italy’s 2013 world silver medallist Valeria Straneo will line up for the 10km. The 45-year-old set her PB of 32:07 10 years ago, but clocked a solid 32:55.25 on the track last year.

Based on recent form, though, Eritrea’s Mekdes Woldu could start as favourite. The 28-year-old ran 32:16 last year and set a half marathon PB of 1:10:50 last month.

Charlotte Arter’s credentials put her on a par with Woldu. The Briton has a track best of 32:15.71 and a slightly faster half marathon PB than the Eritrean at 1:09:41.

Sweden’s Olympic 10,000m finalist Sarah Lahti leads the 5km entries. Her best for the distance is 15:38, but her track PB of 15:10.76 suggests her road best is due for revision.

French duo Aude Korotchansky and Johanna Geyer Carles will try their best to challenge the Swede.

The event will be streamed live, starting at 08:00 CEST.

Leading entries

Women 5km
Sarah Lahti (SWE) 15:38
Aude Korotchansky (FRA) 15:33.04
Kristina Hendel (CRO) 16:27
Lia Lemos (POR) 16:46.16
Johanna Geyer Carles (FRA)

Women 10km
Valeria Straneo (ITA) 32:07
Mekdes Woldu (ERI) 32:16
Charlotte Arter (GBR) 32:19
Leila Hadji (FRA) 34:25
Maeva Danois (FRA) 34:49

Men 5km
Julien Wanders (SUI) 13:29
Felix Bour (FRA) 13:37.74
Ilyas Yonis Osman (SOM) 13:40.91
Etienne Daguinos (FRA) 14:01.21
Pietro Riva (ITA) 14:04
Flavien Szot (FRA) 14:50.66
Boniface Kibiwott (KEN)
Mathew Kibarus (KEN)
Isaac Nader (POR)

Men 10km
Sondre Moen (NOR) 27:55
Abdelaati Iguider (MAR) 28:22
Lorenzo Dini (ITA) 28:25
Hillary Kipkoech (KEN) 28:28
Koen Naert (BEL) 28:37
Enock Onchari (KEN) 28:55
Yohan Durand (FRA) 28:56
Napoleon Solomon (SWE) 28:56
Zak Charik (FRA) 29:00
Samuele Dini (ITA) 29:17
Ivan Fernandez (ESP) 29:44
Yared Shegumo (POL) 29:48

Julien WANDERS

Julien WANDERS