The 2023 World Road Running 5km silver medallist Lilian Kasait and reigning Hong Kong Half Marathon champion Grace Loibach have sounded an early warning, declaring their intent to chase glory at Sunday’s Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.
Kasait is bullish heading into the race, boldly setting her sights on the course record of 1:04:46, set by Ethiopian star Yalemzerf Yehualaw in 2020.
After battling a brief injury setback, the Kenyan speedster says she’s rediscovered her rhythm and hunger for competition.
“Injuries remind you how much you love sport. I had to stop training for a week, and it made me realise how much I missed running. Now I focus on staying strong and consistent, I want to be at my best," Kasait said at the pre-race press conference.
Kasait gave a glimpse of her form last weekend, storming to victory at the Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships in 33:48, ahead of Rebecca Mwangi (33:54) and Caren Chebet (34:24).
Before that, her last race was on August 24, where she finished fifth at the Condor Antrim Coast Half Marathon, clocking 1:07:36.
Ethiopia’s Mizan Alem triumphed in 1:05:38, followed by Loice Chemnung (1:06:06) and Senayet Getachew (1:06:33).
Kasait began her season on a high, sealing a commanding win at the Prague Half Marathon where she cut the tape in 1:05:27, ahead of compatriot Veronica Loleo (1:06:40) and Ethiopia’s Sentayehu Lewetegn (1:08:41).
Delhi marks the former World Cross Country champion’s fourth career outing over the 21km distance.
She made her debut in Valencia 2024, where she clocked 1:03:32 for third behind Agnes Ng’etich (1:03:04) and Fotyen Tesfay (1:03:21).
Meanwhile, Loibach will be out to lower her personal best of 1:06:31 as she makes her debut on Indian soil.
“It feels amazing to be in Delhi for the first time for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon."
"I’ve worked hard all season, and I’m excited to see what this race brings. Every run teaches me something new, and if I can walk away with a personal best, it will be a big step forward in my journey," Loibach said.
Loibach kicked off her year with a statement victory in Hong Kong, clocking 1:07:56, ahead of Sheila Chelangat (1:08:06) and Viola Chepng’eno (1:08:09).
She later placed second in Meishan (1:06:31), second at the Boston 5K (14:55), clinched victory at the Boulder 10K (31:52), finished seventh in the New York 10K (31:34) and took second at the Boilermaker 15K (49:40).
Joining the Kenyan arsenal is Catherine Amanang’ole, who will be chasing her third podium finish of the season.
Amanang’ole began her campaign with a fifth-place finish in Meishan (1:06:42), before bouncing back to claim victory in Yangzhou (1:07:05).
Most recently, she finished third at the Buenos Aires 21K in 1:07:13, behind Veronica Loleo (1:06:58) and Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray (1:07:07).
The Kenyan trio face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s formidable duo of defending champion Alemaddis Eyayu and 2024 Ras Al Khaimah runner-up Ababel Yeshaneh.
Eyayu captured last year’s Delhi title in 1:07:04, ahead of Kenya’s Cynthia Jerotich (1:08:27) and Ethiopia’s Tiruye Mesfin (1:09:42).
