Merga, Kipsang to face off, sub-59 time on the cards

New Delhi, Oct 31 : Defending champion Deriba Merga (Ethiopia) and runner-up, Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) today promised to give their best to take the top slot, making the elite men's race of the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon tomorrow exciting.

In the past editions of the men's race, no runner has been able to defend his title, but going by Merga's confidence, he could be the man to change this trend.

With the fight for the top position intensifying, the finishing time may be a new course record (below 59-minutes).

Although there are as many as 30 elite athletes, who have good racing experience and are known names in the global road race circuit, the recent past performance of Kipsang indicates that he will be man to watch.

Having lost a close race by just one second to Merga last year, the Kenyan is taking no chances this time around and has planned his race with care.

''I have worked out a strategy for the Sunday race,'' said Kipsang.

However, defending champion Merga exuded confidence, saying he had been focusing on the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon for the past eight weeks. ''I have been training, and training hard. That should help me take home the trophy,'' he said.

Kenyans and Ethiopians apart, Rawanda's Dieuodone Disi, who has been winning titles on the European road races circuit in the past three months, can't be ruled out for the title. He could spoil the party of the Kenyans and the Ethiopians. Disi had won title in 2007, and was among top six in the previous edition.

The manger of the elite athletes, Ian Ladbrooke predicted a fast time in the men's group today.

''The top guys like Merga and Kipsang are very aggressive runners. Performance of below 59-minutes is on the cards,'' was all he said about the finishing time.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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