Quality Field Set to Challenge Bekele's Course Record in Paris

Published by the IAAF on January 19, 2015

One year after Kenenisa Bekele broke the course record on his debut at the classic distance, organisers of the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon have assembled another star-studded field for the IAAF Gold Label Road Race on 12 April.

Leading the way is Kenya’s Moses Mosop, owner of the fastest marathon debut in history – and one of the quickest marathon runs of all time – with his 2:03:06 clocking on Boston’s point-to-point course in 2011.

After a couple of years hindered by injury, Mosop returned to winning ways earlier this year with a world-leading clocking of 2:06:19 at the Xiamen Marathon, setting a Chinese all-comers’ record. His best on a record-eligible course is 2:05:03, one second quicker than Bekele’s course record set in Paris last year.

He will be joined on the start-line by fellow Kenyan Vincent Kipruto, who won in Paris back in 2009. He has a PB of 2:05:13 and took the silver medal in the marathon at the 2011 IAAF World Championships.

Elite Field (with PBs)

Men

Moses Mosop (KEN) 2:05:03 (2:03:06)

Vincent Kipruto (KEN) 2:05:13

Bazu Worku (ETH) 2:05:25

Deressa Chimsa (ETH) 2:05:42

Laban Korir (KEN) 2:06:05

Gilbert Kirwa (KEN) 2:06:14

Seboka Tola (ETH) 2:06:17

Raji Assefa (ETH) 2:06:24

Mike Kigen (KEN) 2:06:59

Abdellatif Meftah (FRA) 2:09:46

Jean Damascene Habarurema (FRA) 2:12:40

Yassine Mandour (FRA) debut

Women

Mulu Seboka (ETH) 2:23:13

Philes Ongori (KEN) 2:23:22

Olena Shurhno (UKR) 2:23:32

Amane Gobena (ETH) 2:23:50

Sophie Duarte (FRA) debut