In both Men’s and Women’s line-ups, the names confirmed make clear that the RAK event is now widely identified as a perfect form-indicator and preparatory race for those elite men and women planning an April marathon which, this coming spring marathon season, might secure them an Olympic team berth.
The tiny but lion-hearted Keitany returns to the scene of this clockwise loop race that last year projected her towards a 2:19:19 victory in London eight weeks later and her inevitable status as one of the favourites for Olympic Marathon gold later this year. In spite of her ill-judged pacing and subsequent third place in New York last November - she reached half way at close to world record tempo, only to slow dramatically to a 2:23:38 clocking - it is hard to imagine a Kenyan Olympic squad without the 30 year old, but she will know that many more eyes watch her every result now than prior to record-shattering run at RAK 2011.
In addition, Keitany has returned gently to training after her wedding last December 31st and admits to not being in World Record shape, but in “only” around 67 minute form. She will need to be, because lined up against her is a high calibre field with no less than seven other athletes who have broken 70:00 for the half marathon, the fastest being Caroline Cheptanui Kilel (68:16), significantly the Boston Marathon champion last year in 2:22:36.
For their part, with nine boasting sub 60 minute bests, the men can justifiably claim a harder victory will be fought out after the early morning starter’s gun, particularly when one remembers that every one of the five editions so far has been won in well under the hour. Last year’s champion Deriba Merga does not run but in his place are several marathoning luminaries of 2011 from Kenya, such as Geoffrey Mutai, the fastest marathon runner ever after his wins last year in Boston (2:03:02) and New York (2:05:06), Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich who won in Otsu (2:06:13) and then Frankfurt (2:03:42), and Wilson Chebet, the Rotterdam (2:05:27) and Amsterdam (2:05:53) champion.
To underline the strength of the men’s line-up, other runners that just miss top billing such as Ethiopia’s Tsegay Kebede, the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist and one of the most consistent marathon runners of the last four years, and Lelisa Desisa who won the Delhi Half Marathon in 59:30 in late November, would top the start list at most races. Likewise, after placing second here last year (59:44), Bernard Kipyego now knows the RAK course and with five sub 60 minute clockings in the last three years as well as the strength of a 2:06:29 third place in Chicago last October, will be a strong contender for a podium spot.
With pacemakers lined up for both Men and Women, two lightning quick races are in prospect once again in RAK. General entries have risen to almost 3,000 - a not insignificant number in the Emirates - and if conditions are good, who knows where this year’s times might get down to.
The RAK Half Marathon will be held on 17 February 2012 and is an IAAF Gold Label Race (Silver Label 2009, 2010, 2011) and a full member of the Association of Marathons and Distance Running (AIMS).
The RAK Half Marathon 2012 is presented by Saqr Port and supported by adidas, UPS, Al Ain Water, Capri Sun, RAK Hospital, Outdoor UAE, La Luna and RAK Police.
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Keitany Mary (JPEG, 1.3mb)
Mutai Geoffrey (JPEG 1.3mb)
MEN
Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich
KEN
58:59
Bernard Kipyego
KEN
59:10
Wilson Chebet
KEN
59:15
Lelisa Desisa
ETH
59:30
Geoffrey Mutai
KEN
59:30
Tsegay Kebede
ETH
59:35
Azmeraw Bekele
ETH
59:39
Kiplimo Kimutai
KEN
59:44
Fabiano Joseph
TAN
59:56
Levy Matebo Omari
KEN
60:06
Joseph Nganga Maregu
KEN
60:24
Feyisa Lelisa
ETH
60:33
Dennis Kipruto Koech
KEN
61:30A
WOMEN
Mary Keitany
KEN
65:50
Caroline Cheptanui Kilel
KEN
68:16
Hilda Kibet
KEN
68:39
Feysa Tadesse
ETH
68:44
Aniko Kalovics
HUN
68:58
Georgina Rono
KEN
69:08
Gladys Cherono
KEN
69:26
Rose Chelimo
KEN
69:45
Serena Burla
USA
70:08