Kenya's Mildred Kinyanja returns to the Netherlands on Sunday to defend her Leiden Marathon title against a formidable lineup of female athletes.
Last year, Kinyanja clocked 2:32:40 to claim the race ahead of Linet Chebet ( 2:32:47) and Gladys Chemutai (2:36:26), who finished second and third respectively.
She boosts a person best (PB) of 2:37:57 set in 2023 at the Eindhoven Marathon, where she placed sixth in a race largely dominated by Belgian athletes.
In the same year, she clinched a bronze medal at the Dodoma Marathon, clocking 2:45:22, amidst tough competition from Naum Kebenei (2:45:20) and Tanzania’s Sara Makera (2:43:05) who secured second and first position respectively.
Adding to her accolades, Kinyanja also claimed the Kuching Marathon crown in Malaysia in 2019 with a time of 3:08:56.
Joining her in the quest for glory is Janeth Kiptoo, boasting a PB of 2:40:14 from the Kigali International Peace Marathon, where she finished eighth.
The Kenyan duo will face fierce opposition from Ethiopia's contingent, led by 2022 Jo'burg 10km Road Race bronze medalist Meskerem Tesfaye.
Tesfaye holds a PB of 3:00:24 from the 2018 Khon Kaen Marathon, where she finished fourth. She will be accompanied by Dadi Alemu, who achieved a PB of 2:51:35 at the 2017 Stara Zagora Marathon, securing fifth place.
In the men's elite race, Generali Koln Marathon silver medalist Anthony Ekai will spearhead Kenya's charge.
Ekai, 28, finished second last year with a time of 2:15:21, just behind Amos Kipkorir, who clinched the title in 2:14:43.
Ekai will be joined by John Mungai, Isaac Yego, and Emmanuel Kipchumba, forming a formidable Kenyan lineup.
However, the Kenyan contingent faces tough competition from Uganda's Bernard Cheptoch, boasting a PB of 2:14:06 from the 2019 Rabat Marathon, where he finished 14th.
Cheptoch secured the Muscat Marathon title in 2022 with a time of 2:19:28 and claimed bronze at the 2018 Libreville Marathon in 2:21:28.
Representing the hosts is seasoned athlete Bjorn Koreman, with a PB of 2:10:32 set at the 2022 Rotterdam Marathon, where he finished ninth.
