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All eyes will be on Koech and compatriot Titus Kipruto following the withdrawal of Cybrian Kotut due to an injury.
Road runner Bernard Koech will return to the Tokyo Marathon to fulfill his desire after an unsuccessful outing in the 2017 edition of the race.
Koech disclosed that he was unable to finish the race due to a health challenge that struck him. “I returned here because I have unfinished business,” Koech said.
All eyes will be on Koech and compatriot Titus Kipruto following the withdrawal of Cybrian Kotut due to an injury.
The duo will be seeking to retain the title that was won by world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge. This is also the first race in the 2023 season.
Koech and Kipruto have respective personal best times of 2:04:09 and 2:04:54. Koech noted that if all goes well, he will smash his own PB and run under 2:03:00.
He said his training has gone seamlessly with no injuries and challenges. “I intend to set a new PB and I believe a 2:03:00 is possible if the weather will be favourable.
“I have been consistent in my training so far and I haven’t faced any challenges. I am also injury free,” poised Koech said, adding that if the pace makers do a great job, he expects a fast race.
The race has also attracted other elite athletes including 2021 London Marathon champion Sisay Lemma. Lemma will be lining up with a life time best of 2:03:36. The Ethiopian will be hoping to improve on his third-place finish at the 2020 edition of the marathon.
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