Fetus Talam, the athlete who surprised the world after winning Eindhoven Marathon on debut as a pacemaker, will headline the Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon this Saturday in Czech Republic.
The 21-year-old athlete, under the Ikaika Sports stable, stunned the world after securing victory in Eindhoven on his debut as pacesetter
Talam clocked 2:06.26 at the 33rd Eindhoven Marathon even though he was supposed to pace until the 35km mark. He went ahead to place fourth this year at the Rotterdam Marathon and he is focused on securing his victory over the distance this season. He is now bracing up for Saturday battle with fellow Kenyans among them former winner Josphat Kiptis and Kenneth Keter.
Vedic Cheruiyot, coached by Ian Kiprono, is a track talent from St. Patrick’s and he will be the pacemaker as he launches his international career. Kiptis won Mattoni Olmouc half marathon two years ago with 60:21 while Keter, a RunCzech Racing athlete, is has a personal best of 59:48 for the half marathon.
Talam has a 60:56 person best time he clocked at Verbania in 2015.
After running 44:35 in 2015 at the Zan Branson Memorial 15km in Baringo, Talam went ahead to place second at the Laggo Maggiore Half Marathon in Italy with an impressive 60:56.
He also finished fourth at the Usti nad Labem Half Marathon with 61:34 in the year 2015. Last year, he was timed at 61:48 in the Goteborg Half Marathon in Sweden. “Talam is enjoying top form and I believe he is ready for the race,” said Ikaika Sports in-charge talent scout, Julien Di Maria.
In the women’s category, Machakos Half Marathon winner Lucy Cheruiyot will be battling for top honours.
The athlete, who trains at Kapng’etuny ran 68:17 last year at the Usti Nad Labem half marathon. She placed third at the 2016 Family Bank Half marathon in Eldoret.