By IANS
New Delhi : Defending champions Francis Kibiwott and Lineth Chepkiri of Kenya will miss Sunday’s Vodafone Half Marathon, it was announced by the organisers here Friday.
“We have to start the Vodafone Half Marathon on a sad note because we will be missing the defending champions. Francis and Lineth, who were the winners in the men’s and the women’s section last year will not participate this time due to injuries,” Ian Ladbrokes, chief trainer of the foreign athletes, told reporters here.
“Both Francis and Lineth have been running races consistently for quiet some time and they injured their knee in their last competition,” he added.
Ladbrokes also added that despite the absence of the defending champions, Sunday’s race will still be competitive due to the presence of 2005 winners Kenyan Philip Rugut and Russian Irina Timofeyeva in the men’s and the women’s section respectively.
“The presence of Philip and Timofeyeva will make the race competitive. But going by current form, Diudone Disi from Rwanda will be the favourite to win the men’s race,” said Ladbrokes.
Among other aspirants vying for the prize money of $160,000, are self trained Isaac Macharia of Kenya and Morroccan Mo Fadil.
In the women’s section, Kenyans Alice Timbillil and 32-year-old Caroline Kwambai will also give Timofeyeva a tough fight.
“I was not into running very much. But started running to sponsor my education. With the money, I have funded my education and also sponsored the education of my three brothers,” said 27-year-old Macharia, who is pursuing his graduation in commerce from University of Nairobi.
For 32-year-old Kwambai, a mother of three, it is a different story as she started running in 2000 again, after a gap of eight years.
“It was an eight-year long break due to marriage. But the reason to come back was not money. Running is a passion for me and the love for the sport brought me back,” she said.
“I have been running since my childhood. My school was five km away. So everyday it was a 10 km run for me. That is how Kenyan runners grow up,” said Kwambai, who idolises legendary Kenyan marathon runner Kip Keeno.
Indian coach K.S. Matthew also seemed confident that his boys would put up a good show this time.
“We had a 10-day training session here last month. I am hopeful that my boys will put up a good show and try to finish within 65 minutes.”
“We don’t have specialist half marathon runners but I think we are making gradual progress with these international tournaments now being held in the country,” said Matthew, who is a coach at the Army Sports Institute in Pune.
Army’s Deep Chand, who currently the No.1 long distance runner in the country, looked equally hopeful and said: “I think this time we will have at least three Indians among the top 15.”