Philemon Rono will be seeking to win his third consecutive victory at the 19th edition of the Toronto marathon that will be held on October 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Rono, who trains under 1992 Olympic Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Patrick Sang at Global Sports Communication in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County.
The runner who established himself globally as a pace maker, pacing for former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang (2:03.23), the former University of Eldoret won the title last year with a course record of 2:06.51 becoming the fastest marathoner on Canadian soil.
The 27 year-old broke Ethiopian Yemane Tsegay’s record of 2:06.54 that he set in 2014, will be on the starting line up to defend his title for the third time after winning in 2016, defended in 2017 and will be in Canada for a hat trick as he nears to break the Kenneth Mugara’s record of winning the race four times.
“I will try my best to defend my title and break the course record too because the course has become my home following the double wins I did in the last two years,” said Rono after Tuesday morning training at his camp.
In 2016, he won the race in 2:08.27 following an accident where he hit the guard rail.
The 27 year old runner failed to complete the 2018 Boston marathon race due to poor weather, trains alongside Olympic marathon champion Eliu Kipchoge, New York City marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, two times world champion Abel Kirui among others said his training is in top gear and is happy to return to Toronto again.
Popularly called the ‘baby Police’ due to his shortness and glamorous police officer said he wants to run sub 2:04 or 2:05 this year and beyond.
“My training is great and am hoping for better time again on the course,” said Rono
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