Press Release - Marathon Hamburg - 2/14/19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                  Haspa Marathon Hamburg On 28 April
				 
  World record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei runs marathon debut in Hamburg
 
World half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei will run her debut at 
the full distance in Hamburg on 28 April this year. This was announced by 
the organisers of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg today. The marathon debut of 
the 25 year-old Kenyan is one eagerly awaited in international road 
running. Organisers also confirmed that Abel Kirui will compete on the fast 
course in Hamburg. The Kenyan has won two World Championship gold medals 
and an Olympic silver. He intends to attack Eliud Kipchoge's course record 
on 28 April. Online entry for Germany's biggest spring marathon is still 
possible at: www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.de 
 
"We are extremely proud to welcome these two outstanding athletes among 
many other promising elite runners to our race. It will be fascinating to 
see what immediate impact Joyciline Jepkoskei can have in the marathon. In 
contrast Abel Kirui has so much experience. We hope that he can use this 
well and produce something special on our fast course," said chief 
organiser Frank Thaleiser.

Joyciline Jepkosgei achieved a sensational breakthrough in 2017, when she 
broke a total of six world records. Four of those came in one race: The 
Kenyan took the half marathon in Prague in 64:52, passing 10 k in 30:05, 15 
k in 45:37 and 20 k in 61:25. Later in the year she improved her 10 k 
global record to 29:43 and then established the current world half marathon 
record of 64:51 in Valencia.
 
When Joyciline Jepkosgei now turns to the marathon there is a parallel to 
the greatest runner of the distance ever, Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan 
Olympic Champion and world record holder also ran his debut in Hamburg. 
Back in 2013 Kipchoge won the race with a course record of 2:05:30 that 
still stands today. However Jepkosgei did not think about Kipchoge when she 
opted for Hamburg. "My manager Gianni Demadonna and my coach Gabriele 
Nicola both told me that Hamburg has a fast and flat course," said 
Joyciline Jepkosgei, who hopes "for a good debut" on 28 April. "I would 
like to achieve a time of around 2:22. But there are still two months of 
preparation to come. I have to wait and see how my body reacts to the 
training. Once I am a week away from the race I will see in what kind of 
form I am. Then I will determine my final goal." Since the beginning of the 
year Joyciline Jepkosgei has started training for her marathon debut under 
the guidance of her new coach Gabriele Nicola. 
 
If Jepkosgei, who usually trains with male pacemakers, can build good form 
in the coming weeks Hamburg's course record could be within reach. May be 
Jepkosgei can then follow in the footsteps of Kipchoge by breaking it in 
her debut in Hamburg. Ethiopia's Meselech Melkamu holds this mark with a 
time of 2:21:54 from 2016.  
 
According to Abel Kirui the men's elite race will definitely see an attempt 
to break the course record. "I am focussing on Hamburg. The race will be a 
big challenge for me as I want to break Eliud Kipchoge's course record. It 
will not be easy as it is a 2:05 time. However I really want to do it. It 
will be a big show," said the 36 year-old Kenyan, who won world marathon 
titles in 2009 and 2011. Kirui, who holds a personal best of 2:05:04, also 
took the silver medal in the Olympic marathon in 2012. A year ago he was 
fourth in London and then seventh in Chicago, clocking sub 2:08 times in 
both races.
 
More information about the Haspa Marathon Hamburg and online entry is 
available at: www.haspa-marathon-hamburg.de 

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