The highly anticipated Seoul Marathon, Korea’s only platinum-rated marathon, is set to take place Sunday. Last year’s champions, Jamal Yimer and Fikrte Wereta, will return to the course with hopes of repeating their victories and defending their titles.
Jamal Yimer, a two-time world half marathon silver medalist, made headlines last year when he won the Seoul Marathon with a personal best time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 8 seconds.
Despite finishing fourth in the recent Houston Half Marathon, Yimer has been preparing diligently for Sunday’s race, which will mark his third marathon.
South Korean media reports suggest he is in strong form and ready to compete.
However, Yimer will face stiff competition from a talented field of runners. Kenyan athlete Bernard Kiprop Koch, who set a personal best of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 9 seconds at the 2021 Amsterdam Marathon, is considered a top contender.
The race will also feature Gebretsadik Abreha, Ashenafi Moges, Adane Kebede, and Kbrom Desta, all of whom have completed marathons in under 2 hours and 8 minutes.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian athletes are expected to dominate. Fikrte Wereta, last year’s champion, is the frontrunner with a personal best time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 32 seconds, which she set during her victory in Seoul, reported AMN.