FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Moses Mosop Runs Prague's Anniversary Marathon
The organisers of the Volkswagen Prague Marathon have announced one of the
biggest names in distance running as their latest recruit for the 20th
anniversary edition of the race on May 11: Moses Mosop. The Kenyan's best
time of 2:03:06, achieved in Boston in 2011, makes him the second fastest
marathon runner in history. The 28-year-old will also become the fastest
runner to compete in the Volkswagen Prague Marathon and there are high
hopes that he will crown the anniversary edition with a top class
performance. The event is an IAAF Gold Label race, the top category for
road racing awarded by the governing body of world athletics.
"In this 20th anniversary year we shall have the biggest events and
strongest fields in our history and we are proud that Moses Mosop will add
his name to those of the many great runners who have run with us here in
Prague: Paul Tergat, Haile Gebrselassie, Stefano Baldini, Patrick Makau,
Zersenay Tadese – and now Moses Mosop, known by so many as 'The Big
Engine'", said Carlo Capalbo, president of the organising team of the
Volkswagen Prague Marathon.
Moses Mosop's name was originally on another list for the spring season,
catching the eye as the fastest entrant for the prestigious Boston Marathon
on April 21. However, his training was hindered by a knee injury and he
didn't have enough time to prepare properly. Boston was the site of his
historic marathon debut, where he finished four seconds behind Geoffrey
Mutai in 2:03:06 and 17 seconds inside the current world record. But the
descent and Boston's point to point course means it does not conform to
official world record requirements, hence fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang is
the official world record holder with 2:03:23. Nonetheless, Mosop's
performance on Boston's course, which includes the renowned sequence of
climbs known as Heartbreak Hill, is worthy of respect.
"After getting injured in preparation for the Boston Marathon I thought
that there was no chance of a spring marathon for me. But then I heard from
my management that the Prague organisers were interested in me," explained
Mosop. The later date has given him time to regain form for a marathon.
"The path of a professional marathon runner is paved with challenges,
difficulties and possibilities. This way I have the chance to run the
Volkswagen Prague Marathon and experience the 20th anniversary of the
event," said Moses Mosop. "I've heard a lot of good reports from other
athletes and friends about the races in Prague so I'm looking forward to
running there on May 11 and hope to run a time of between 2:06 and 2:07."
The course record in Prague for the marathon stands at 2:05:39, set by
Kenya's Eliud Kiptanui in 2010.
Mosop enjoyed success in equal measure in track and cross country, taking
third place in the 10,000 m at the 2005 World Championships and finishing
runner-up at the 2007 World Cross Country Championships. He then ran that
sensational marathon debut in Boston in 2011 while setting a track world
record for 30 km (1:26:47) and winning the Chicago Marathon with 2:05:37 in
October of the same year. After finishing third in 2:05:03 in the 2012
Rotterdam Marathon, he has struggled with injuries which have prevented him
realising his full potential. But now the runner known in the trade as "The
Big Engine" on account of his impressive achievements will be making his
comeback at the Volkswagen Prague Marathon.
For more information about the Volkswagen Prague Marathon, please go to:
www.praguemarathon.com
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