Brigid Kosgei set to renew rivalry with Tirunesh Dibaba at Abu Dhabi Marathon

Former world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei will be heading to the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, scheduled for Saturday 16 December and the race proves to be a clash of champions.

The women’s race promises to be a thrilling showpiece as some of the world's top long-distance runners gear up for a grueling competition.

Kosgei has her work cut out as she will be clashing against some of the greatest marathoners the world has ever witnessed.

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The 2019 London Marathon champion will be locking horns with Tirunesh Dibaba from Ethiopia. The three-time Olympic champion will be returning to professional running after a hiatus.

Dibaba is the queen of track where she won five World Championship titles and is making a comeback following a break for maternity leave. Her Personal Best time of 2:17.56 at the 2017 London Marathon positions her as a formidable competitor.

The head-to-head match-up between Dibaba and Kosgei is anticipated to be one of the highlights of the marathon. From her fourth-place finish at the New York City Marathon, Kosgei has proven to be in great form after suffering a series of injury setbacks.

The duo will be joined by Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia and Maurine Chepkemoi from Kenya. Feysa boasts a personal best of 2:23.38, while Chepkemoi, last year’s Enschede Marathon winner, is also a strong contender. The women's elite field is expected to challenge the course record of 2:20.41 set by Eunice Chumba of Bahrain.

In the men's field, Andrew Kwemoi of Uganda, 23, is a runner to watch with a Personal Best time of 2:07.14 achieved at the Milano Marathon earlier this year.

The Kenyan charge will be led by Leonard Barsoton and Paul Tanui who are also able athletes in their own capacity.