Kiprotich chases unique marathon feat in Beijing

KAMPALA- Stephen Kiprotich yesterday changed his Facebook profile picture. He posted the image of himself breaking the tape at Luzhniki Stadium as he won his first World Championships marathon gold medal in Moscow, Russia last year.

With this year’s World Championships getting underway in Beijing, China, tomorrow, Kiprotich’s Facebook post is a clear sign that he is a man on a mission. “Winning in Moscow was really sweet,” Kiprotich recalled before he lead Team Uganda to Beijing on Tuesday.

Kiprotich, the first Ugandan in action, will be the centre of attention, as he attempts to become the fourth man in history to defend the world title when 68 runners line up at Yongdingmen Gate for the 42.195km race in the early hours of tomorrow (2:35am).

“Ugandans should not expect much but I am going to do my best,” said Kiprotich, who has so far had mixed fortunes this year. The 26-year-old lost his daughter Elizabeth Chelangat in January but recovered to set a new national record of 2:06:33 while taking second at the Tokyo Marathon on February 22.

On June 20, Kiprotich complained of back problems as he finished 10th at the Olomouc Half-Marathon in Czech Republic. “My body didn’t respond in Olomouc. I got to know where to improve but I am now ready for Saturday (tomorrow).”
Kiprotich has three other Ugandans in debutant Solomon Mutai, 2014 Commonwealth bronze medalist Abraham Kiplimo and 2013 Mumbai Marathon champion Jackson Kiprop to back him up as he chases a third straight unprecedented major title following his 2012 Olympic gold.

“It’s hot here but we are ready. We’ll sit and discuss how to run as a team,” said Kiplimo, whose tricks alongside Kiprop wore down the field for Kiprotich to win in Moscow. Kiprop noted: “We will work together and bring a marathon medal.”

Kiprotich is happy to have teammates backing him up. “In London, I was alone. In Moscow, we were three and now we are four guys. We have some small experience to look to,” noted Kiprotich.

World championships
UGANDANS IN ACTION TODAY, LIVE ON SS5
2:35am: Men’s marathon
(Stephen Kiprotich, Jackson Kiprop, Abraham Kiplimo, Solomon Mutai)
5:25am: men’s 3000m steeplechase, Heat 3. (Benjamin Kiplagat)