Chesari, Korir Lead Kenya's Cape Town Marathon Charge

CAPE TOWN, South Africa- The Kenyan contingent to the 2018 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, is upbeat they will deliver glory to their nation when they spring to action on Sunday in South Africa.

Led by former Hannover Marathon winner, Jacob Chesari Korir, and his compatriots Albert Korir, Kipsang Kipkemoi, Rotich Nicholas and Kacherian Philemon are out to bring the title back home from South Africa.

The Kenyans will be gunning for victory at the race that enjoys pride of place as Africa’s only IAAF Gold label status marathon inspired by Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:01:39 world record performance in Berlin a week ago.

Chesari and co have been boosted by the absence of title holder and Ethiopian Asefa Negewo who will not be taking part this weekend.

Despite his absence, the 2018 line up is arguably the most formidable entry field to date for the event sponsored by the Sanlam Group-Africa’s largest non-bank financial services firm.

The Cape Town showpiece that is part of the South Africa Marathon Championships events will also serve as an Olympic Qualifier this year for the country’s elite runners led by home favourite Stephen Mokoka.

Alongside Mokoka and Chesari, Korir will also be gunning for the top prize buoyed by his recent performance at the Otsu Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan earlier this year.

Racing snakes

Korir won last year’s Vienna Marathon win, in a sub 2:09 time while Kipkemoi boasts a best of 2:08.26 from the Sevilla Marathon in 2017 will also be using the Cape Town event to lower his lifetime standard.

"Sanlam is proud to sponsor Africa’s only Gold Label marathon, which gives our top athletes the opportunity to race against the world’s best on home soil.

"Our partnership in this prestigious event on the IAAF African calendar continues to grow, creating value and inspiration for the people and communities across our continent and a legacy for generations to come by sustainably conserving our environment, encouraging healthy living and bringing people together,” the company's Kenya Group CEO, Patrick Tumbo told a pre-race press conference in Cape Town.

With such an incredible amount of depth at the front end of the race, it is no surprise that focus will be on the “racing snakes”.

However, the Cape Town Marathon is not only about those who will be chasing titles and prizes and fast times, the event clearly caters for those who want to have fun or are chasing their personal goals.

Over 22 000 plus runners will run their journey in the trail races, the 10km Peace Run, the 5km fun run and the marathon over the weekend.