Wilson Chebet sizzles to a 2:05:27 PB victory in Rotterdam (© organisers)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Kenyan Wilson Chebet is a realistic man. “I want to compete in next year's Olympic marathon in London but I know I have many rivals in my country who want to race there too'', he said in a pre-race press conference in Amsterdam on Thursday (13). The 36th edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, will be held this coming Sunday (16) in the city, with the start and finish will be in the 1928 Olympic Stadium.
The 26-year old Wilson Kwambai Chebet is full of confidence about his third outing at the classic distance of 42 kilometres and 195 metres. He has run his previous two marathons in the Netherlands. Last year he debuted in Amsterdam, finishing second in 2:06:12 behind Ethiopian Getu Feleke (2:05:44, the course record), and he came back to the Low Countries to win in Rotterdam (10 April) in 2:05:27.
“I trained very well for Amsterdam and I am full of confidence,” confirmed Chebet. “I know the course well and it is a fast one. I know my compatriots Geoffrey Mutai, Moses Mosop, Patrick Makau and Emmanuel Mutai are very good and very fast runners but I am also a good one. I will show that Sunday.''
Chebet will be in very good company. Sileshi Sihine will be the dark horse in Amsterdam. The 28-year-old Ethiopian, who has an impressive collection of Olympic and World championships medals, is making his debut in the marathon in Amsterdam.
Other contenders will be Eliajah Keitany (Ken, PB 2:06:41), Benjamin Kiptoo (Ken, PB 2:06:29), Elijah Keitany (Ken, PB 2:06:41), Paul Biwott (Ken, PB 2:07:02), Samuel Kosgei (Ken, PB 2:07:47), Daniel Chepyegon (Uga, PB 2:08:24), John Kiprotich (Ken, PB 2:08:2), Dejene Yirdaw (Eth, PB 2:08:30), Ambese Tolosa (Eth, PB 2:08:56) and Daniel Kosgei (Ken, PB 2:08:58).
Besides Sihine there are three other top runners who will run their first marathon in Amsterdam and of whom the expectations are high: Samuel Tsegay (Eth), Shadrack Kosgei (Ken) and Ahmed Abdullah Hassan (Qat).
The plan is that a group of thirteen (incl. pace makers Michael Mutai, Joseph Biwott, Nicholas Manza, Eric Ndiema, all Ken and Ugandan Nicholas Kiprono) will go out for a first half marathon in 1:02:30/40.
The weather forecast looks very good: sunny, light wind and a temperaturen around 12 degrees at the start (09.30 hrs local time).
The TCS marathon also counts for the Dutch Championships (men and women). Koen Raymaekers is defending his national title. He hopes to break 2:10:00 which will give him a ticket for the London Olympic Games.
Kiplagat eyes London too and will not do anything stupid
Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat also hopes for an Olympic ticket. The former Kenyan missed the Dutch qualification standard (2:27:24) in London last April by 34 seconds.
“People expect perhaps I gonna win this race but that is not the most important for thing for me. I want to get my qualification time for London. I will not do stupid things. I still have time for London. I need some time to get in top shape. I am in a good form this moment better than I was in in London in April. I trained a lot on speed. My training felt well the last weeks. I will go in the race very positive.''
Kiplagat will face strong opposition from: Azalech Woldeselasse (Eth, PB 2:25:34), Nailya Yulamanova (Rus, PB 2:26:05), Eyerusalem Kuma (Eth, PB 2:26:51), Genet Getaneh (Eth, PB 2:27:13), Peninah Arusei (Ken, PB 2:27:17), Natalia Volgina (Rus, PB 2:27:32) and Yumi Hirata (Jpn, PB 2:29:23).
Amsterdam will have over 35,000 starters on several distances (incl. a half marathon) from 83 countries. Around 12,000 competitors have a bib number for the marathon.
Wim van Hemert for the IAAF
