Kiptoo to challenge course record on return to Frankfurt marathon
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E-mail Xinhua, September 11, 2019
NAIROBI, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Like a fine wine which gets better with age, veteran Mark Kiptoo aims to crush any doubts about the human limit when he lines up at the Frankfurt Marathon on Oct. 27 to try and win the title.
Kiptoo, a former Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, has surprised many with his ability having run last year's Frankfurt Marathon, clocking 2:07:50.
Aged 43, Kiptoo believes he has the aura of invincibility heading to Germany's oldest city race.
"I am very excited to be heading back to the Frankfurt Marathon this year. I have enjoyed good experiences in the past, finishing second in 2013, winning in 2014 and last year of course breaking the world masters' best," Kiptoo said on Tuesday.
Kiptoo's time of 2:07:50 is the master's (runner's over 40 years) world record. He was sixth in Frankfurt last year and aims to improve his time and position on his return.
"This year I will aim to challenge for first place at the race. I believe if I win the race then I probably break the record again. My preparations are going on well and God willing I see another successful day in Frankfurt ahead."
He will face Kenneth Keter, who was fifth in 2:07:34, former Amsterdam Marathon winner Bernard Kipyego and Ethiopia's Fikre Bekele, who was fourth in Seoul in 2:06:27.
At the moment, all signs suggest that the 43-year-old is capable of a further improvement this year as he aims to win the race for a second time.
Indeed, Kiptoo is still running at a very high level which may be due to his late arrival to the event.
Kiptoo made his marathon debut at 37 in Frankfurt and finished second in 2:06:15, just one second behind the winner.
In 2014 he returned to win in 2:06:49. Three of his five best marathon times have been run in the city. His lifetime best of 2:06:00 was achieved in the Dutch city of Eindhoven in 2015.
Two Kenyans who impressed at the Frankfurt marathon last year and finished ahead of Kiptoo are also making a return, Amos Mitei, who was fourth with 2:07:28 in 2018 and Kenneth Keter, who finished fifth in 2:07:34.
Bernard Kipyego also joins the Kenyan contingent and has a similar ability, having won the 2015 Amsterdam Marathon in 2:06:19. Enditem
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