2012 London Marathon Men's Race Contenders

2012 London Marathon Men's Race Contenders
by Sharon Ekstrom

Jump to: Emmanuel Mutai | Patrick Makau | Wilson Kipsang | Abel Kirui | Vincent Kipruto |
Martin Lel | Tsegaye Kebede | Feyisa Lilesa | Bazu Worku | Jaouad Gharib |
Marilson Gomes dos Santos | Zersenaye Tadese | Markos Geneti

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Mutai at the 2011 London Marathon

Emmanuel Mutai
Age: 27
PB: 2:04:40, 2011 London Marathon

Back to defend his title is Emmanuel Mutai who bested one of the most competitive fields at the 2011 London Marathon and set a new course record and personal best in 2:04:40. With six marathon finishes of 2:06 or faster by age 26, Mutai debuted at the 2007 Rotterdam Marathon, where he was a hired pacemaker for Tsegaye Kebede. After fulfilling his pacing duties, he finished the race in 2:13:06 (7th place). Mutai bettered his time in what would essentially be his official marathon debut at the 2007 Amsterdam Marathon later that autumn with a 2:06:29 victory.

This subsequently led to three additional sub-2:07 finishes from the London Marathon (2:06:16 - 2008; 2:06:53 - 2009; and 2:06:23 - 2010); but what brought him to prominence was the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Mutai held fast to Abel Kirui's pace (Kirui also had been a pacemaker, specifically to Haile Gebrselassie during his world record attempts). Mutai held on to earn silver (2:07:48), contributing to a Kenyan team victory.

At the 2010 London Marathon, Mutai picked off the fading World Champion Abel Kirui to finish second behind Kebede who he once paced. Although one minute off the winner, Mutai ran a new best of 2:06:23. Next, at the 2010 New York City Marathon, Mutai had taken the early role of leader; but was eclipsed when his energy faded in the final mile of the race. He was second in 2:09:18, one minute behind the winner.

Returning with a similar race schedule in 2011, Mutai returned to London. With the absence of 2009 London Champion Sammy Wanjiru, Mutai still had to contend with three-time London champion (2005, 2007, 2008) Martin Lel and 2010 London Champion Tsegaye Kebede, along with the strongest African marathoners gathered. Mutai prevailed this time, winning in a personal best time of 2:04:40.

Mutai went into the 2011 New York City Marathon as a favorite; but the competition was intense. In the field would be fastest marathoner in the world Geoffrey Mutai (of no relation) in addition to his former 2010 London Marathon adversaries. No one was certain who would win, but a fast finish was guaranteed with the caliber of talent on hand. Emmanuel Mutai came in second (2:06:28) - one of the top three to break the previous course record from ten years earlier And on the eve of selection for the 2012 London Olympics, each race from 2011 to now race is essential to help the Kenyan Federation make final decisions.

Why? Although Emmanuel Mutai has made the provisional list for the Kenyan Olympic Team, Geoffrey Mutai (2011 Boston Marathon champion, fastest marathoner), Patrick Makau (2011 Berlin Marathon champion, marathon world record holder) and Abel Kirui (2011 World Champion), Moses Mosop - Chicago Marathon Champion 2:05.37 and Wilson Kipsang - Frankfurt Champion 2:03.42...the team will need to be whittled down to three and London seems to be the decisive race.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Makau at the 2011 Berlin Marathon

Patrick Makau
Age: 27
PB: 2:03:38, 2011 Berlin Marathon

The fastest man in the 2012 London Marathon field is marathon world record holder Patrick Makau who will be returning to London for the second time to take on defending champion Emmanuel Mutai, and three time champion Martin Lel and what is undoubtably the strongest Kenyan men's marathon field assembled and a roster that may fare more competitive than the 2012 London Olympics set for August.

Makau, initially known on the road racing circuit for his 10K and half marathon performances, particularly a silver medal at the 2009 World Half Marathon Championships in Udine. He stepped up to the marathon distance in 2009, making his debut at the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon - a race which has seen 3 world record finishes in the past. Makau, at that time was the second fastest half marathoner in the world behind Sammy Wanjiru (KEN).

Rotterdam was a historic race, as top Kenyans (Abel Kirui and James Kwambai) set a new national record in 2:04:27, bridging the gap between Gebrselassie's seemingly untouchable world record (2:03:59). Although Makau finished fourth in a 2:06:14, this was one of the fastest marathon debuts. When Makau failed to finish the 2009 New York City Marathon; many speculated that he was not talented in the distance, as other top half marathoners like Paul Tergat, Haile Gebrselassie and Sammy Wanjiru could transition to be top marathoners as well.

As a crop of young new African runners flooded marathon fields aiming for world record times or bust and Makau was still well-positioned to make a name for himself in the distance. He was third fastest half marathoner in the world behind Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) and Zersenay Tadese (ERI) and holder of 3 of the top 10 fastest finishes in the 13.1 mile distance had merit. Race organizers held onto hope that Makau had yet to shine. And shine he did with his return to the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon. Makau took victory in a 2:04:48 becoming the fourth fastest marathoner ever and securing the fastest marathon finish of 2010.

He followed up that stellar performance at the 2010 Berlin Marathon. With world record holder Gebrselassie notably absent from this world record course, Makau and two others had sights on a new record time, but hopes were dashed by heavy rains during the race. Makau soldiered on, out-kicking 2010 Rotterdam Marathon rival Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) in the final kilometer to win in 2:05:08.

In the 2011 edition of the London race, Emmanuel Mutai ran away from the field, as Makau and Lel battled for 2nd place in the last 200m of the race. While both clocked 2:05:45, Makau was 3rd. Makau stepped up his game with his goal of running a world's best time and did just that at the 2011 Berlin Marathon where he set the new official world record in 2:03:38.

Why? Makau is now becoming an experienced marathoner capable of faster times while able to strategize against deep fields. The 2012 London Marathon will offer just that - field and if he wants to solidify his spot on the 2012 Kenyan Olympic team, he will need to make sure that none of the other Kenyans in the field will best him.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Kipsang at the 2011 Frankfurt Marathon

Wilson Kipsang
Age: 30
PB: 2:03:42, 2011 Frankfurt Marathon

Wilson Kipsang is no stranger to competitive racing. Despite having only four career marathons to his name, his marathon accolades include two victories of the Frankfurt Marathon (2010, 2011) and a win of the 2011 Otsu Marathon. He was also 3rd at the 2010 Paris Marathon, a race won by 2012 London Marathon entrant, Tadese Tola.

Kipsang from Kenya is a specialist in the 10k and half marathon, where he has a history of taking on the best in the world. In fact, Kipsang took on Zersenay Tadese at the 2009 World Half Marathon Championships. While Kipsang placed 4th (60:08), the race was won by Tadese who would eventually become the Half Marathon World Record Holder two times over. Kipsang has also raced against Patrick Makau, current Marathon World Record Holder at the 2009 Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon. Although Makau beat Kipsang to the finish by seven seconds, Kipsang's runner up finish was a personal best (58:59). Incidentally, Abel Kirui, the two-time Marathon World Champion (2009 and 2011), was 10th at that same race.

In 2011, with finish times falling below 2:04, Kipsang's 2:04:57 win of the 2010 Frankfurt Marathon wouldn't be fast enough. Kipsang returned to Frankfurt with one goal in mind - to set a new world record. Many speculated “could this be done outside Berlin, London or Dubai?” Kipsang came four seconds short - he finished in 2:03:42 - not enough to unseat the newly crowned Makau; but better than Gebrselassie's former record.

Why? Kipsang is not only the second fastest man in the field, he was merely four seconds short of setting a new world record in 2011. Unbelievably, this quality marathoner will have to fight to earn a spot on the 2012 Kenyan Olympic Marathon team, despite having one of the fastest marathon finishes EVER. And while he has never run a marathon with this caliber of an elite field, Kipsang will rematch several men he's raced through the years and perhaps this knowledge of their racing styles may help him as he strategizes at the 2012 London Marathon. And perhaps if he pulls off an incredibly fast win, he may steal a spot on the Kenyan team for August.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Kirui at the 2010 NYC Marathon

Abel Kirui
Age: 29
PB: 2:05:04, 2009 Rotterdam Marathon

Kenyan Abel Kirui's marathon finishes may not stand up to the other top athletes in the field, but his two victories of the 2009 and 2011 World Championship Marathons guarantees him a berth at the 2012 Kenyan Olympic Marathon team and the well-deserved title of reigning World Champion.

Yet, Kirui began his marathoning career with some unremarkable finishes at his first two marathons in 2006 at the Berlin Marathon (2:17:47) and the Singapore Marathon, (2:15:22). A defining moment in his career came when Kirui returned to the 2007 Berlin Marathon as a pacemaker to assist Haile Gebrselassie to his 2:04:26 World Record run. Race officials allowed Kirui to finish the race and he finished as runner-up in 2:06:51. Successful as a pacer, he did the same for "Geb" at the 2008 Dubai Marathon and the 2009 Berlin Marathon. In the interim, Kirui experienced his first victory at the 2008 Vienna Marathon (2:07:38).

Kirui came into form in 2009 beginning with an incredible personal best finish at the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon in 2:05:04. This 3rd place finish put him in the top 10 all-time best marathon performances and was from a historic race which raised the bar in marathoning making 2:05 nearly a standard for top elite fields. Part of this new generation of young Kenyans racing the clock, Kirui who had been "one-to-watch" early in his career solidified his reputation as a serious competitor at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. He set an early fast pace, then took a strong lead without fading - winning gold on a warm day in a super fast 2:06:54.

Since the world championships, Kirui has had less than stellar performances - 13th at the Sapporo Half Marathon in 64:17, 5th at the London Marathon in 2:08:04 and 9th at the New York City Marathon in 2:13:01 citing the poor performance as a result of contracting typhoid prior to the race. After New York he nursed a tendon and knee injury as well as bouts of malaria and pneumonia.

Kirui returned to racing at the 2011 Paris Half Marathon finishing 7th in a 62:08. He returned to defend his title at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu winning gold once again in a 2:07:38 and nixed his initial plans to pursue a world record time at the 2011 Berlin Marathon. The 2012 looms on the horizon, but first thing is first, he will have to battle an extremely deep field at the 2012 London Marathon.

Why? Kirui has been drafted to run the World Championships twice and won both times proving his consistency against deep fields; but will he be able to match his ultra fast Kenyan compatriots? His 60:28 Barcelona Half Marathon finish may prove that he can hang with an incredibly fast group.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Kipruto at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu

Vincent Kipruto
Age: 24
PB: 2:05:13, 2010 Rotterdam Marathon

While we expect today's new generation of marathoners to be one-hit wonders, Vincent Kipruto is anything but. Kipruto began his marathon career at age 21 at the 2008 Reims Marathon with an uninspiring 2:08:16 finish (3rd place). Yet, a few months later at the 2009 Paris Marathon, Kipruto took victory in an astounding 2:05:47 setting a new course record at the event.

At the 2009 Chicago Marathon this newcomer was with Sammy Wanjiru as they were on world record pace through the first half of the race (62:01). As the pacers fell off one-by-one by mile 16, Kipruto took to the front assuming an unofficial role as pacer until Wanjiru's surge near mile 21 secured victory. Kipruto fell back to a third place finish in 2:06:08, still an impressive effort given his lack of experience in the distance and the blistering initial miles of the race. He followed up that performance with a 2:05:13 personal best at the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon, a third place behind two 2:04 finishes.

Kipruto was capable of more and returned to the 2010 Chicago Marathon, but he finished 5th in a disappointing 2:09:08. Yet, in 2011 he returned to Rotterdam. While the race set out on world record pace, Kipruto and Wilson Chebet battled it out in the last kilometer of the race. Kipruto was outkicked and finished 2nd in 2:05:33, 6 seconds behind the winner. He was selected for the Kenyan marathon team to the 2011 World Championships and won silver in 2:10:06 contributing to the second Kenyan win of the men's marathon World Cup.

Why? Kipruto has run 2:05 three times consecutively over the past three years. He has run 60:46 PR at a half marathon in Italy earlier this year. In a field this deep and filled with athletes looking to make their Olympic teams, expect Kipruto to be a strong challenger.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Lel at the 2011 Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon

Martin Lel
Age: 33
PB: 2:05:15, 2008 London Marathon

Three-time London Marathon champion, Martin Lel will return to the 2011 London Marathon field. Once the fourth fastest marathoner in the world with a 2:05:15 (London 2008), this Kenyan has been a consistent performer with top-three finishes at almost every marathon he has run. Although his impressive podium streak was broken at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a 5th place finish (2:10:24), this Kenyan's collection of victories from the New York City Marathon (2003-2:10:30, 2007-2:09:04) and London Marathon (2005-2:07:26, 2007-2:07:41, 2008-2:05:15) remained impressive. It was no surprise that Lel sat out of a fall marathon.

2009 started off strong with two victories at the 2009 Lisbon Half (59:56) and Great North Run (59:32-two seconds off his personal best); but ended early as a hip injury forced Lel to withdraw from both the London Marathon and New York City Marathon. Lel met further setbacks due to injury going into 2010 after winning the Rock n Roll Half in New Orleans. Continued setbacks from injury forced him to withdraw from the 2010 London Marathon and the 2010 Chicago Marathon.

The 2011 London Marathon was Lel's first time back at the 26.2 mile distance since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This veteran marathoner and three time winner of the marathon faced a field where he was not the favorite, in fact there were six other top elite athletes who had run 2:05 finishes or faster. Regardless, Lel never backed away from a fight. While Emmanuel Mutai ran away with the win, Lel battled it out against Patrick Makau for the runner-up spot, both men officially finished in 2:05:45.

Why? Lel is a veteran marathoner and the three time winner of London. While the younger generation of African marathoners are running faster times, Lel has remained competitive against them. His 2011 London finish in 2:05:45 was merely 30 seconds off his personal best of 2:05:15 from the 2008 London Marathon. While off the radar for the 2012 Kenyan Olympic marathon team, perhaps he will be able to take back his title at the 2012 Boston Marathon.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Kebede at the 2011 NYC Marathon

Tsegaye Kebede
Age: 25
PB: 2:05:18, 2009 Fukuoka Marathon

Tsegaye Kebede is not only the top Ethiopian marathoner in the field, but a veteran of the distance with over eleven career marathons to his name by the age of 25. Kebede ran three 2:05 finishes and placed in at least the top three at highly competitive fields worldwide. He is also a bronze medalist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 World Championships and champion of the 2008 & 2009 Fukuoka Marathon, 2008 Paris Marathon and 2010 London Marathon.

In 2007, the year of the Ethiopian Millennium, Kebede debuted in the marathon. Off the radar he ran to victory at the 2007 Abebe Bikila Marathon held at altitude in Ethiopia (2:15:53). Despite an uninspiring 2:08:16 (8th place) at the 2007 Amsterdam Marathon, his career soared in 2008.

Kebede was 2nd at the 2008 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon losing to Patrick Makau (KEN) by just tenths of a second, his 59:35 finish remains his fastest to date. Next, he won the 2008 Paris Marathon (2:06:40) and secured a spot on the 2008 Ethiopian Olympic Marathon team. Kebede became a household name after winning bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (2:10:00) while passing fellow countryman Deriba Merga on the track in the last hundred meters of the race. And to end the year, he broke the Fukuoka Marathon course record previously held by 2008 Olympic Marathon champion Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) with a victorious 2:06:10.

Kebede spent 2009 still bettering his times amidst deeply competitive fields. When the 2009 London Marathon field was broken by the blistering pace in the fastest half marathon split of a marathon ever run (61:35) and a number of surges from Beijing Olympic gold medalist Kenyan Wanjiru, Kebede held on to finish second to Wanjiru with a time of 2:05:20 - breaking 2:06 for the first time, a feat that only a small handful of men had ever accomplished at that time. He continued a streak of top three finishes in his next marathons with a bronze medal at the World Championships in Berlin (2:08:35) and a repeat victory of Fukuoka with a personal best of 2:05:18.

For 2010, Kebede returned to the London Marathon ready to battle a field of three of the fastest Kenyans in the competition (Kibet, Kirui and Wanjiru). In top form, he dropped most of the field at mile 17, including Wanjiru, and ended the Kenyan streak becoming the second Ethiopian to win the esteemed event in a 2:05:19, one second off his personal best and nine seconds off the course record. At the 2010 Chicago Marathon, Kebede took on Wanjiru once again and in a nail-biting sprint to the finish Kebede could not break the defending champion and took second in 2:06:43.

Nonetheless, Kebede returned to the 2011 London Marathon and after putting in most of the initial surges; he was broken by three Kenyans - Emmanuel Mutai, Martin Lel and Patrick Makau who are all returning to the 2012 London Marathon field. Kebede finished fifth (2:07:48). He later entered the 2011 New York City Marathon field which showcased three sub 2:05 marathoners and Kebede was not one of them. Race organizers were orchestrating a fast marathon finish - looking to get a winning time better than the previous course record of 2:07:43 set by Tesfaye Jifar ten years prior. Kebede hung on as long as he could as Geoffrey Mutai and Emmanuel Mutai took off. While Kebede finished third, he still finished faster than Jifar's 2001 Course Record. Of note: he only raced twice in 2011 (London and New York City Marathon).

Why? Kebede has consistently been a top performer in the past. An aggressive runner capable of throwing in hard surges rather than relaxing in the back of the lead pack, he will be a top contender in the 2012 field; but does he have what it takes to take on his fellow 2:03-2:04 marathoners? Kebede will need to be in the shape of his life to take on these fastest men in the world.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Lilesa at the 2012 Houston Marathon

Feyisa Lilesa
Age: 22
PB: 2:05:23, 2011 Rotterdam Marathon

We promised at the Chicago Marathon in 2010 that Feyisa Lelisa would be one to watch. While he did not have the experience to take on such a deep field of marathoners at that time, Lelisa had built up his marathon resume with victories at worldwide and the 2009 Dublin Marathon (2:09:12) and the 2010 Xiamen Marathon (2:08:47). And a recent highlight was his bronze from the 2011 World Championships in Daegu - 2:10:32.

This 21 year old Ethiopian saw his personal best at the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon where he finished 2:05:23 (3rd place) which jettisoned him into the the 13th fastest marathoner of all-time at that time. Rotterdam was shortly after his 20th birthday, making Lelisa the youngest to have run sub-2:06. Lelisa had a big opportunity to shine in 2010 in Chicago when he took on the late Sammy Wanjiru and Tsegaye Kebede in his first World Marathon Majors race; but he couldn't hold the pace at the 24 mile mark and finished 3rd. Still not a bad effort going head-to-head against the two most aggressive marathoners in competition at that time.

While 2011 has been inconsistent - a 7th at the 2011 Rotterdam Marathon (2:11:42) and a bronze at the 2011 World Championships in the humid conditions of Daegu, S Korea (2:10:32), Lilesa has the talent to continue to develop in the distance but in the past year he has gone from 4th fastest Ethiopian marathoner to the 8th fastest.

Why? Lilesa has been working hard to keep up with the top runners in the distance. Where the marathon world record holders have been strong half marathoners, Lilesa kicked off 2012 with three fast half marathons - winning the Houston Half Marathon in a course record and personal best of 59:22, finishing 5th at the highly competitive Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon (61:52) and taking 3rd at the New York City Half Marathon (60:45). When MarathonGuide.con caught up with Lilesa before the New York City Half, he was already looking forward to setting a personal best at his goal race - the 2012 London Marathon -and possibly qualifying for the 2012 Ethiopian Olympic team. Expect to see Lilesa challenge an already deep field of men in London.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Worku at the 2010 Berlin Marathon

Bazu Worku
Age: 21
PB: 2:05:25, 2010 Berlin Marathon

Ethiopian Bazu Worku, 21, is one of the youngest in the elite London Marathon field; but don't let that fool you. He garnered a second place finish in his marathon debut at the 2009 Paris Marathon setting the World Juniors Record (2:06:15) in one of the fastest marathon debuts at that time.

He followed that performance with two 3rd place finishes - a 2:09:54 at the 2010 Ottawa Marathon and a 2:05:25 on the rainy streets of the 2010 Berlin Marathon. A silver medalist from the Ethiopian 30K National Championships, Worku's racing calendar has been light for 2011. He failed to finish the only race he entered - the 2011 World Championships. In 2012 he ran the Dubai Marathon finishing in 2:07:48 (13th place).

Why? Worku may have had setbacks in the past year, but his 2:06:15 marathon debut and his 2:05:25 Berlin Marathon finish should be indicative of what he is capable if his fitness is there. Nonetheless, he will need to run well under 2:05 to best this men's field where running 2:05 seems a requirement to be invited to the race.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Gharib at the 2011 NYC Marathon

Jaouad Gharib
Age: 39
PB: 2:05:27, 2009 London Marathon

At 39 (40 in May), Jaouad Gharib, two-time World Champion (2003 and 2005) and two-time Olympian, may be the oldest runner in the elite field; but one of the strongest challengers with a resume boasting 17 marathons with 11 finishes in the top three at races like the London, Chicago, New York and Fukuoka Marathons.

Gharib, a veteran of the London Marathon, who has raced from 2004-2011 finishing in the top 4 five times, sat out in 2008 to rest up for the Olympics Games. The plan worked as he won silver at the 2008 Beijing Games (2:07:16). He followed-up with a third place at the 2009 London Marathon against a crop of aggressive marathoners [14 years his junior] and proved that age is meaningless as he set a personal best and Moroccan National Record in 2:05:27. Other highlights in 2009 include a 2nd place finish at the Lisbon Half-Marathon (59:59 - 3 seconds short of his personal best from the 2004 edition of the race), a 3rd place finish at the Great North Run (60:03) and a 3rd place finish at the New York City Marathon (2:10:25).

In 2010 Gharib returned to the London Marathon where he placed third once again in 2:06:55 over a minute slower than the previous year. He rounded out the year with a marathon victory in Fukuoka - his first since the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. In 2011 Gharib ran identical marathon finish times (2:08:26) at the London Marathon (6th place) his second slowest finish ever and the New York City Marathon (5th place)

Why? With seven sub-2:08 career marathons, Gharib undoubtedly has the most experience in the field and the mental toughness that has made runners such as Meb Keflezighi (USA) a top runner through the years. While Gharib has been able to hold with these fast crowds in the past, he will be returning to the London Marathon to challenge one of the toughest assembled. There is no doubt that his aggressive surging tactics throughout the race while retaining a finishing kick has made him a formidable threat, but will he be able to hold it to the leaders.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Gomes dos Santos at the 2011 London Marathon

Marilson Gomes dos Santos
PB: 2:06:34, 2011 London Marathon

Two-time champion of the New York City Marathon Champion, Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, will be returning to the start line of the London Marathon for the fourth time. After a disappointing 2010, he's in peak fitness and looking forward to the spring race season, specifically the 2012 London Marathon, both professionally and personally - having recently celebrated the birth of a new baby boy, Miguel.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Tadese at the 2012 Lisbon Half-Marathon

Zersenaye Tadese
Age: 30
PB: 2:12:03, 2010 London Marathon

Zersenay Tadase, who began his athletic career as a national cyclist in Eritrea, is the half marathon world record holder twice over with two finishes from the 2010 and 2011 Lisbon Half Marathon in a 58:23 and a 58:31 respectively. 2011 silver medalist at the 10000m in the World Championships. While Tadese’s half marathon times are slightly faster than the 2008 Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru, the current marathon world record holder Patrick Makau and legendary Haile Gebrselassie, the Eritrean has not been able to clock marathon finishes in the same manner.

Tadese came from a respectable career on the track and has the world 20k title and is the two-time champion of world cross country. He will

Why? Tadese first debuted in the marathon at the 2009 London Marathon which he failed to finish. 2009 London Olympics which he did not finish. Along with showcasing his talents against this top field, he will be seeking redemption in a distance that has always gotten the best of him.

Photo Credit: Victah Sailer - Geneti at the 2011 Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon

Markos Geneti
Age: 27
PB: 2:04:54, 2012 Dubai Marathon

Ethiopian Markos Geneti burst into the marathon scene in his debut in the distance at the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon. From a strong 3000m and 5000m background, he has a Bronze Medal from the 2004 World Indoor 3000m Championships. Not a prolific road racer, he followed up his 2:06:35 marathon debut at this second marathon ever - the 2012 Dubai Marathon where he finished 2:04:54 (3rd place).

Why? There is not much to say about Geneti, since he has only raced the 26.2 mile distance twice. While there is such thing as newcomer’s luck, there are only 18 men who have ever run faster than 2:05:00. And as 2:05 has nearly become the new standard for top elite fields, Geneti will need to continue to out-perform the rest.