BERLIN, September 26- Dennis Kimetto will be looking to take advantage of a consistently quick circuit when he lines up for the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
The German capital has provided the setting for the last five men’s marathon world records, with Wilson Kipsang of Kenya the last man to do so when he crossed the line in two hours, three minutes and 23 seconds last year.
Kipsang is absent from the field this time around, but compatriot Kimetto is the third fastest marathon runner in history and will no doubt have his eye on surpassing Kipsang’s mark.
The 30-year-old claimed victory at the Tokyo and Chicago races last year, breaking the course record in both.
And Kimetto will have extra motivation to put in a strong performance in Berlin, as he finds himself among the leading contenders for the 2013-14 World Marathon Majors crown.
One of his rivals for that title is 2012-13 winner and current leader Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, who will also be among the starters on Sunday.
The 27-year-old has carved out a reputation as one of the most consistent performers over 26.2 miles, finishing in the top three in 14 of his 17 career marathons.
Kebede is currently four points clear of Kipsang, who will make his first appearance in the New York marathon in November.
Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai – the 2010-11 World Marathon Majors winner – is also likely to be among the frontrunners, while world half-marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor will fancy his chances, having finished third in Berlin for the past two years.
Last year’s Paris Marathon winner Feyse Tadese heads up the women’s field, but fellow Ethiopian Tirfi Tsegaye, who finished second in Berlin in 2012, should give her a run for her money.
Shalane Flanagan of the United States and Japan’s Kayoko Fukishi will also be looking for strong showings this weekend.
-By Sportau
