NAIROBI, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Champions Reuben Kiprop Kerio and Alice Kibor will lead Kenya's team to this year's Kosice Peace Marathon in Slovakia on Oct. 7.
Founded in 1924, the Kosice event is Europe's oldest marathon, this year celebrating its 95th edition.
The course records - Lawrence Kimaiyo's 2:07:01 men's mark set in 2012 and Ashete Bekere Dido's 2:27:47 women's standard set in 2013 - may not be under imminent threat, but the solid fields attracted to this eastern Slovak city promise strong head-to-head battles.
Kerio will be keen to improve his best time and clinch the course record.
Speaking in Eldoret, Kerio said he has gone through three months of training without any injury concerns or any other problems and believes he will be in peak form as he defends his title.
"It will always be hard as a champion to defend your crown," he said Wednesday. "But that is why we train hard and it will be down to my own tactics and strength to carry me through the distance and hopeful retain my title."
Kerio, 24, holds a best time of 2:08:12, which he attained in 2017 in winning the marathon.
He will be accompanied by compatriot Nicholas Kipchirchir Korir, who will be making his first run in the full marathon distance. Korir holds a best time of 59:50 in the half marathon distance.
Ethiopia will be represented by Birhanu Bekele (2:09:41). Since its inception just five men have managed to secure back-to-back wins in Kosice. The last man to achieve the feat was David Kariuki winning in 2001 and 2002 winner.
"I know what I can do and that is why I believe in myself. I want to win the race again," said Kerio.
On the women side, Kenya's Alice Kibor, third at the Rome Marathon this year with best time of 2:28:19 will be the athlete to beat at least owing to her fast time.
She will be up against Ethiopian Mestawot Tadesse (2:31:38). Kenyan Emily Ngetich will have the role to pace the elite field.
Belarus Natalya Savina has 2:33:50 from European Championships marathon where she finished in position 12 while the top Slovak in the lineup will be Tibor Sahajda (2:18:44) from last Kosice performance.
