Pollution and humidity in Delhi is Kenyan marathoners’ main worry as they prepare to take on the best in the Commonwealth Marathon this morning.
The Kenyan Marathon team Wednesday expressed concern about the heavy pollution in this city.
Amos Tirop Matui and John Ekiru Kelai will be Kenya’s hopes for the last medal at this championships in the men’s category after another medal hopeful Luke Kibet pulled out due to injury.
While the Kenyan men were breathing fire ahead of today’s race, their women counterparts Irene Mogaka, Irene Jerotich and Rose Kerubo Nyangacha were cautious, saying the marathon race will be tricky.
Matui and Kerai have vowed to claim the gold today and prove to the world that Kenyans are the best in road races. “It is very humid here and the pollution is also very high, which isn’t good for a marathon but that won’t stop us from giving it our best shot,” Kelai said.
His last marathon was in Aprill this year during the Enskicheden race in the Netherklands. Kelai has also participated in three Mumbai marathons between 2007-2009 and won and will use that as a motivation in today’s race. Kelai feels the absence of Ethiopians - they are not part of the Commonwealth - would reduce the level of competition.
“We are aware that it has been very tricky to win races where our main challengers like Ethiopia are missing because other countries have been coming up very strongly to pull a surprise,” said the 33-year-old, who is a farmer in Eldoret.
Finished third in Morocco
But he believes the training he had in Italy would help him as he takes on the best in his first major world event. While Kelai will be putting his vast experience and exposure to full test today, Matui - who has been living a quiet life in Kitale - concurs the weather isn’t good but nonetheless has promised to do his best.
“I was involved in an road accident in April while training in Kitale and was in hospital for two weeks, I just started training last month but hope for the best,” he said.
Matui last participating in a competitive marathon race in December last year during the Casablanca Marathon in Morroco where he finished third but is not worried of his big talking opponents.
“We want to plan it well and run as a team so that we can win as Kenya regardless of who takes the gold,” Matui said.
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