This is the strongest field assembled for the 13th edition of the IAAF Gold Label event, featuring the year's third fastest marathoner and Rotterdam champion,Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia and compatriot Feyisa Lilesa who is the bronze medalist from 2011 World Championships Marathon in Daegu. They will go against four Kenyans that have broken the magical one hour barrier for the Half marathon: Sammy Kitwara(58:48),Peter Kirui(59:39),Wilson Chebet (59:15), and Victor Kipchirchir(59:31). Kirui should be the slight favourite after winning the NYC Half Marathon earlier this year and winning the Peachtree 10km only 3 weeks ago.
The 2012 African champion at 5000m and 10000m, Gladys Cherono of Kenya will battle countrywomen Helah Kiprop and Genoveva Jelagat and Ethiopians Amane Gobena and Abebech Aferwork for the title at 8,700 ft(2650m) of Altitude.
More than 45,000 runners from more than 30 countries have registered for the half marathon and the accompanying 10K. For those of you who wish to see high class athletics competition prior to the start of the Olympic Games on August 3, you can watch here, http://www.caracoltv.com/senal-vivo live at 1010 EST on Sunday( note revised time to 1010 EST)
1. Sammy Kitwara Kenya
2. Yemane Tsegay Ethiopia
3. Alirio Carrasco Colombia
4. Isaac Macharia Kenya
5. Ridouanne Harroufi Morocco
6. Diego Colorado Colombia
7. Feyisa Lilesa Ethiopia
8. Peter Kirui Kenya
9 Ezekiel Jafari Tanzania
10. Mike Fokoroni Zimbabwe
13. Wilson Chebet Kenya
18. Victor Kipchirchir Kenya
71. Gladys Cherono Kenya
72. Amane Gobena Ethiopia
73. Jemena Misayauri Peru
74. Yolanda Fernandez Colombia
75. Helah Kiprop Kenya
76. Abebech Afework Ethiopia
77. Ludmila Petrova Russia
80. Genoveva Jelagat Kenya