Kenya’s Reuben Kipyego Kiprop will be leading a star studded deep elite field at the 41st edition of the NN Rotterdam Marathon that will be held on Sunday (10) in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The 25 year-old heads to this race with the second fastest time on paper of 2:03.55 that he got last year at the Generali Milano Marathon where he took silver.
Kiprop will have an uphill task as he will fight the Olympic bronze medallist, Abdi Bashir, who is the course record holder with a time of 2:03.36 which he got at this race last year. The 33 year- old Belgian is also the European marathon record holder.
Kenya’s Marius Kipserem and Dawit Wolde are other sub 2:05 runners who have also been lined up to fight for the top podium place. Kipserem is a two time Rotterdam Marathon winner in 2016 and 2019. The 33 year-old set a new course record and personal best of 2:04.11 in his second victory but was beaten to second by Bashir on his third attempt last year. Kipserem will be chasing to leave an indelible mark of Mr. Rotterdam, though this will only happen if he wins the third time.
The 2019 Prague Marathon champion, Wolde, who took bronze medal at the last year’s edition, comes to this race with the fourth fastest time of 2:04.27 that he got here last year.
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Abdi Nageeye will also be on the start line as he fights for the top honors. The Somali-Dutch professional runner, holds the Dutch National Record of 2:06.17 which is also his life time best. Nageey is coached by Eliud Kipchoge’s coach, Patrick Sang.
Dutch Richard Douma, the multiple national 1500m champion and National 10K road record holder will be making his marathon debut.
“We are so delighted that we also have a strong field of competitors in the men’s race, including the winner of the previous edition as tradition dictates,” says Remco Barbier, CEO of organiser Golazo Netherlands. “After the overwhelming success of #demooiste in October, we are looking forward to a nail-biting and fast race for the men. That should also inspire the tens of thousands of other participants who will appear at the start line with their own targets.’”
LEADING TIME
42KM MEN
- Abdi Bashir (BEL) 2:03.36
- Reuben Kiprop (KEN) 2:03.55
- Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04.04
- Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:04.27
- Abdi Nageeye (NED) 2:06.17
- Richard Douma (Debut)
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