Richard Limo and Julia Mombi to highlight the Reims Marathon in France – IAAF Bronze Label Road Race
Richard Limo and Julia Mombi, two of the Kenyan runners are expected to dominate the road at the 28th edition of the Reims Marathon in France. The race, which cherishes its status as an
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Bronze Label Road Race, will kick off near the city’s Cathedral this Sunday, October 16, at about half past ten in the morning.
Looking over the men’s field, one discovers that the showdown is going to be a heated one as nine of the runners expected to line up for the title have marked under two hours and ten minutes finishing times as their personal bests.
Perhaps that is the reason that there are a number of pre-favourites the spectators are looking forward to perform.
Limo, the 30-year old runner, specialist for long distance running and boaster of bagging a gold medal in the 5000m race at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics, has a personal best of two hours, six minutes and forty five seconds that he observed back
in 2007.
However, for being out of contests for long, and having an incomplete Daegu Marathon back in April this year, the Kenyan has yet to show his muscle on the track.
But considering the finishing time he displayed last year in three of the heated meets - San Diego Marathon (finishing with gold medal) and two second finishes in Los Angeles (for two hours, nine minutes and forty eight seconds) and in Honolulu (for two
hours, seventeen minutes and eighteen seconds), the formidable runner surely is a pre-favourite for the race.
The young runner is looking forward to display a performance that will mark his comeback to the game, in Reims.
He may also go for the track record that, named by David Kyeng in 2008, currently stands at two hours, seven minutes and fifty three seconds.
As per the weather forecasts for the main day, a clement day will welcome the runners to go for a record bid.
Besides others, the emphatic runners will be challenged by the local runners like Simon Munyutu and James Theuri in the contest for the title.
Other big names expected to launch an attack over the run are James Mbuga, David Kemboi, Abraham Chelanga, Joseph Lomala, Yared Dagnew Sharew and Alex Kirui.
The debutants expected to grab the limelight in the French meet are Erick Kibet, Francis Kosgei and Victor Lagat.
On the women’s side, 26-year old, Julia Mombi, is definitely the sole dominator of the road. Displaying impeccable credentials throughout her career, she too is expected to produce one of her finest performances at the Reims track.
The potential rivals the young Kenyan is expected to encounter are Meseret Debele, Aberash Bedasa, Ayeleu Lemma and Ashete Dido.
Tags: