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Geoffrey Kamworor and Alexander Mutiso might have to worry less about Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bakele at next month’s London Marathon after he admitted he is far from ready.
Ethiopian long-distance running legend Kenenisa Bekele has voiced doubts about his potential success in the upcoming London Marathon following his seventh-place finish at the New York Half Marathon on Sunday.
Bekele clocked 1:03:59 for seventh place in a race won by Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba, who timed 1:00:25, with Morocco’s Zouhair Talbi (1:00:41) and Ethiopian Yemane Haileselassie (1:01:37) completing the podium.
The race was part of Bekele’s pre-London preparations but he looked to have bitten more than he could chew in the streets of New York.
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18:44 - 05.03.2024
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Reflecting on the challenges encountered during the New York race, Bekele acknowledged the demanding nature of the course and emphasised the need for additional preparation to assess his fitness levels.
"The course was tough. This race was important to see how my shape is so I think I need more preparations," Bekele remarked.
Despite his determination to excel in the London Marathon on April 21, Bekele admitted that he is still in the process of building up his form and fitness for the upcoming challenge.
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07:04 - 18.03.2024
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"I am still on the build-up because my big goal is success in London but this race was important to see my shape so I think I need more preparations," he explained.
Acknowledging the importance of both time and positioning in the London Marathon, Bekele emphasised his commitment to being fully prepared for the prestigious event.
"Not only time but the position is really important in London. I think I will be ready. I have a couple of weeks to prepare and try to be ready to do something," he asserted optimistically, despite his reservations.
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17:27 - 18.03.2024
ATHLETICS Amos Kipruto makes bold marathon prediction ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics
Amos Kipruto has exuded a lot of confidence ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where he believes Team Kenya will certainly carry the day.
As Bekele looks ahead to the London Marathon, he faces the challenge of fine-tuning his preparation and performance to meet the high expectations set for himself.
The Ethiopian great will be up against a formidable cast in London that includes Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, two-time New York Marathon champion and second in London last year, and Alexander Mutiso, who finished second in Valencia last year.
He also has Ethiopian compatriots Tamirat Tola, the New York Marathon champion, and Mosinet Geremew, the seventh-fastest man in history.
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06:00 - 11.03.2024
ATHLETICS Why Benson Kipruto is Kenya’s best bet for marathon gold at Paris 2024 Olympics
Pulse Sports details the reasons that make 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kiptruto Kenya’s best bet for marathon gold at the Paris Olympics.
This is also part of the two-time Berlin Marathon champion’s preparations towards the Olympics although he still not sure if he will make Ethiopia’s marathon team to the Paris Games.
“They can select based on time, and position is also very important,” Bekele said when asked about his chances of making the Olympics team.
“It will depend on the competitors and they have their own method of selection. There are many Ethiopian marathoners so they have their own plan. I think my chance is 50-50 so I have to try my best.”
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05:32 - 18.03.2024
ATHLETICS Ezekiel Kemboi remains unfazed by Kipchoge’s Tokyo marathon show as he makes bold Olympic marathon claim
Kemboi is adamant Kipchoge still has everything it takes to compete at a high level despite his disapointment in Tokyo, which has prompted him into making a glaringly stark prediction about Kenya's chances at the Olympic games.
Bekele has been to London six times, managing second place in 2017 after third a year earlier, but could only finish sixth in 2018 and fifth in 2022. He, however, had a setback in 2020, when he was forced to withdraw with a calf injury, before failing to finish last year’s race.
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