Defending champion Samwel Mailu returns to Hamburg in search of successive victories

ATHLETICS Defending champion Samwel Mailu returns to Hamburg in search of successive victories

Abigael Wafula 07:30 - 25.06.2023

Mailu, 30, won last year’s race in style, clocking 1:01:52 in the difficult weather conditions.

Defending champion Samwel Mailu will return to Sunday’s Hamburg Half Marathon with the hope of retaining his title.

Mailu, 30, won last year’s race in style, clocking 1:01:52 in the difficult weather conditions. He opened his season with a win at the Vienna City Marathon and he will be looking to extend the hot streak when he steps foot on track.

He will, however, not have an easy time since the race has also attracted some of the greatest long-distance runners including compatriots Simon Ekidor and Victor Kipruto Togom.

With such a quality field, the course record of 1:00:52 that was set in 2015 by Merhawi Kesete from Eritrea may be in danger.

In the women’s field, Kenyan-born Israeli Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, 34, is the huge favorite. She has won several international medals, including bronze at the World Championships in Oregon last year. Her Personal Best time in the half marathon is 1:06:09.

Three Kenyan athletes may still make things difficult for her since they have best times in 1:07-1:08. They include Janet Ruguru, Naomi Jebet, and Caren Jebet Maiyo.

In the women’s field, the course record of 1:10.13 set by Kenya’s Gladys Jeptekeny in 2018 might also be in danger.

Meanwhile, a total of about 11,000 participants are expected for the 29th edition of the half marathon.

Tags: