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There has already been a lot of excitement at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, some due to what happened (like Usain Bolt’s 9.58 WR in 100m), or some due to what did not happen (like Yelena Isinbayeva’s miss at the pole vault). Since this blog mostly covers long distance events, I thought it was prudent to do a summary preview of the upcoming Mens and Womens marathon events at the championships.. Latest update – Paula Radcliffe is out, reportedly did not feel ready for Berlin after doing the NYC Half Marathon.
Key contenders (Mens)
Kenya:
- Abel Kirui (PB 2:05:04) – 6th fastest time ever, 3rd in that crazy Rotterdam marathon 2009
- Emmanuel Mutai (PB 2:06:15) – 4th placed at London 2009
- Daniel Rono (PB 2:06:58) – 2nd placed at Boston 2009
- Robert Cheruiyot (PB 2:07:14) – 4 time Boston winner
Ethiopia:
- Tsegaye Kebede (PB 2:05:20) – Beijing Olympics 3rd, 2nd in London 2009
- Deriba Merga (PB 2:06:39) – Beijing Olympics 4th, Boston winner 2009
- Yemane Tsegaye (PB 2:06:30) – 4th placed at Paris 2009
Morocco:
- Jaouad Gharib (PB 2:05:27) – 2 times world champion, 2nd in Beijing Olympics
- Abderrahim Goumri (PB 2:05:30)
Key contenders (Womens)
- Yoko Shibui (JPN, PB 2:19:41) – Berlin 2004 winner
- Bezunesh Bekele (ETH, PB 2:23:09) – Dubai Marathon 2009 winner, 4th at Boston 2009
- Atsede Bayisa (ETH, PB 2:24:42) – Paris 2009 winner
- Dire Tune (ETH, PB 2:24:40) – Boston 2008 winner, Boston 2009 2nd place
- Kara Goucher (USA, PB 2:25:53) – 3rd at Boston 2009
Non-Attendees
- Paula Radcliffe (GBR, PB 2:15:25) – World record holder and 2005 champion (not race ready)
- Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) – World record holder (running Berlin marathon in Sep)
- Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) – Beijing Olympic champion (injury)
- Irina Mikitenko (GER) – Paris winner (family tragedy)
- Mara Yamauchi (GBR) – Paris 2nd place (injury)
Source: IAAF
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