Loice Chemnung/ TEDDY MULEI Red-hot Loice Chemnung aims to extend her sizzling form on the roads despite facing two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat at Saturday's TD Beach to Beacon 10K race in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA.
Kiplagat holds the title after cruising to a 32:17 victory last year, edging out compatriot Cintia Chepng'eno (32:20) and American Susanna Sullivan (32:22).
Race organisers expect a fierce battle considering the calibre of the elite field assembled.
"An impressive international field of world-class runners will headline the 2025 TD Beach to Beacon 10K on Saturday, August 2, which sets up for a fierce competition," the organisers said in a statement.
Chemnung has been in imperious form on the road since the start of the 2025 season.
Her campaign started at the Malaga Half Marathon in Spain on March 23, winning it in 1:05:46.
Compatriot Miriam Chebet (1:07:01) and Uganda's Joy Cheptoyek (1:08:00) followed.
Chemnung claimed the Bangsaen 10K title on May 25, stopping the clock in 31:26 with Ethiopians Gutene Shanko (32:50) and Mehret Gemeda (32:53) in tow.
In addition to her dominance on the roads, Chemnung showed strong form on the track while claiming the 10,000m title at the National Championships in June.
She timed 31:39.09 with Chepng'eno (32:22.44) and Rebecca Mwangi (32:22.85) completing the podium.
Chemnung ranks 21 on the all-time women's 10K standings with her time of 29:57 set in Paris in 2024.
Kiplagat, an experienced campaigner, eyes redemption after a lukewarm season.
The 44-year-old opened her 2025 campaign with a 2:36:32 finish for 38th place at the Boston Marathon.
She placed eighth at the Boston 10K (32:29) before clawing her way back to the podium with a third-place finish (50:07) at the Boilermaker 15K in New York, behind fellow Kenyans Veronica Loleo (49:37) and Grace Loibach (49:40).
The 2016 World Half Marathon silver medallist, Cynthia Limo, and Vibian Chepkurui add depth to the Kenyan charge.
Australian Isobel Batt Doyle, who set the Australian half marathon record of 1:07:17 at the Marugame 21km in Japan in February, is also in the mix.
In the men's race, Patrick Kiprop will spearhead the Kenyan charge against a stellar Ethiopian contingent led by Tadesse Worku and Gemechu Dida.
The race has a lucrative prize purse of Sh11.6 million, with Sh1.3 million going to each of the winners.
