Vivian Cheruiyot going to 2024 Paris Marathon with one goal in mind

ATHLETICS Vivian Cheruiyot going to 2024 Paris Marathon with one goal in mind

Abigael Wafula 09:31 - 31.03.2024

Multiple world champion Vivian Cheruiyot will be heading to the Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 7 with one major goal in mind.

The Paris Marathon slated for Sunday, April 7 has attracted a strong field of women and men who will descend on the course with the hope of bagging the title and walking away with the prize money.

Vivian Cheruiyot lines up as a favourite and will be in the hunt for a win in the full marathon after many years. Her last win was during the 2018 London Marathon where she clocked an impressive time of 2:18:31 to cross the finish line.

The 2016 Olympic 5000m champion lines up against a formidable field but is not shaken by the opposition.

She has a record of impressive performances and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways in Paris. Despite being 39 years old and with her last completed marathon dating back to 2019, Cheruiyot remains a top contender, albeit facing stiff competition from her rivals.

The Ethiopian charge is led by Buzunesh Getachew, winner in Frankfurt last October, who will be joined by Rahma Tusa, Etagena Woldu, Hailu Haven, and Gelete Burka, winner of the 2019 Schneider Electric Marathon in Paris.

This year the women start on the same line as the men and are no longer on their own as in previous years, with an early start, the leading women will benefit from favourable conditions to set good times.

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Meanwhile, the men will be led by Gisealew Ayana, a 21-year-old Ethiopian who secured victory last year and will be aiming for a double that only Britain’s Steve Brace (1989 and 1990) and, more recently, Kenya’s Paul Lonyangata (2017 and 2018) have achieved.

Ayana faces tough competition from a field of contenders, including seven runners with impressive times under 2 hours and 5 minutes. Elisha Rotich, who returns to the marathon scene after a two-year absence will be keen to take back his crown.

He won the 2021 Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris and is the course record holder of the event record with a time of 2:04:21. He will enjoy the company of Hilary Kipsambu, Brimin Kipkorir, and Titus Kipruto, all boasting formidable personal best times.

Mekuant Ayenew, Deso Gelmisa, and Bazezew Asmare are other Ethiopians who have confirmed participation in the event. Japanese athlete Yuki Kawauchi aims to challenge African dominance while home talent Freddy Guimard also hopes to impress.

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