The rural region is the place from which Kipchoge, the fastest marathon runner of all time, builds the foundation for his success in races around the world. He set the marathon world record of two hours, one minute and 41 seconds in Berlin three years ago, before becoming the first man to unofficially run the distance in under two hours the year after. In 2019, he won the Berlin Marathon in a time of 2:01:41 -- two seconds outside Kipchoge's world record. Bekele will not be running in this year's Olympic marathon, reportedly because of his frustrations with the Ethiopian Athletics Federation's selection policy. Kipchoge's challengers in Sunday's race include fellow Kenyan Lawrence Cherono and Ethiopians Lelisa Desisa -- the reigning marathon world champion -- and Shura Kitata, the 2020 London Marathon winner.

Source: CNN August 07, 2021 06:00 UTC