JOIN USThe event, which has grown in terms of participation as well as popularity in the last five years, is offering $210,000 as the prize money, with the men’s and women’s winners picking up $25,000 each.
Merga, who had clocked his personal best of 59.15 minutes at the 21.097-km race last year, will face stiff competition from last year’s runner-up Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and reigning South African national champion Stephen Mokoko. “I am looking to perform better this year. I will be running here for the second time and I think my familiarity with the track would give me some advantages,” said Merga, who won the Sunfeast World 10K in Bangalore this year.
“I have trained well and I am in form. The weather is also looking fine. So I am confident about doing well,” he added.
Among women, holder Mergia Aselefech of Ethiopia exuded confidence about defending her title but she will face tough competition from Kenyan long-distance runner Mary Keitany.