Kiprotich has chance to grow his legend at Virgin Marathon

KAMPALA- Yesterday, Stephen Kiprotich changed his Facebook profile picture. From a casual-look picture, he uploaded that popular image of himself striding to the finish line to win the marathon Olympic title in 2012. Clearly, the 2013 world champion was trying to fire himself up for today’s Virgin London Marathon.

Today will mark Kiprotich’s third competition in London since the 2012 triumph. Last year, he was in the city but left with not so good results after finishing sixth in the Virgin London Marathon.

As he returns to the London streets this morning, Kiprotich has made it clear he will put up a better show. “I think I had not fully prepared for that race (last year) both mentally and physically,” Kiprotich told us in an earlier interview. “The opening half of the race was very fast. It was a terrible pace because we were running inside the world record until over 20 kilometeres. I powered so fast in the opening 21km but somehow thought I couldn’t sustain the pace; I slowed down a bit and tried to catch up in the dying moments. I think it wasn’t a wise move. I should have kept with the pack till the end because the pace was affecting everyone not me alone. I will push it till the end this time round,” he added.

Classy field
With a classy field that includes Kenyans Wilson Kipsang and Emmanuel Mutai plus the tactically gifted Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede, Kiprotich cannot escape the terrific start to the 42.195km race which should be orchestrated by legendary Haile, running as a pacesetter.

Somali-turned Briton Mo Farah is another man Kiprotich must keep his eyes on despite his inexperience in this particular event.
Enroute to winning the Olympic and World titles, the 25-year-old Ugandan controlled the pace for the bigger part of the races but there is no chance he will be allowed to dominate proceedings here. With attractive cash prizes for running fast times, just like in many other major city marathons, the pace will be crazy from start to finish.

“Championship (Olympics and World Championships) races are very different from these other marathons. Pacesetters always change the game in major city marathons but in a championship, it’s easy to stick to your game plan because there are no pace makers,” Kiprotich acknowledged.

To stand a chance of winning his first major city marathon, the Ugandan is aware he must get out of his shell and post below his 2:07:20 personal best achieved in 2011.

Should he win, Kiprotich could pocket up to $180,000 (Shs460m) that includes $55,000 (Shs140m) winner’s prize and a bonus for a time under two hours 11 minutes.

Under his own arrangement; Kiprotich is also guaranteed $100,000 (Shs256m) if he runs below 2:05:00. There is more $125,000 (Shs320m) waiting to be won should he set a world record.

KIPROTICH MARATHON HIGHLIGHTS
2011: World Championships Daegu (9th)
2012: Tokyo Marathon (3rd)
2012: London Olympics (1st)
2013:Granollers Half-Marathon (1st)
2013: London Marathon (6th)
2013: Moscow World Championships (1st)
2013: New York Marathon (12th)
2014: Paris Half-Marathon (11th)

PRIZE MONEY
1. $55,000
2. $30,000
3. $22,500
4. $15,000
5. $10,000
6. $7,500
7. $5,000
8. $4,000
9. $3,000

10.$2,000
11.$1,500
12.$1,000
Total prize money for men & women: $313,000

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