NAIROBI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya marathoners Dickson Chumba and Valary Jemeli will return to Tokyo on March 1 hoping to hit two birds with one stone.
At stake is the glittering title that comes with a lucrative prize cash to boot. But more importantly, their Olympic Games fate will be sealed with a win in Tokyo.
With World record-holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei assured of their place in the Kenya team, only four more places (two men and two women) are up for grabs. Athletics Kenya says the decision will be made after the March and April marathons.
"I hope to improve on my third-place finish," said Chumba on Wednesday. "I have high hopes of one day representing Kenya at the Olympics or the world championships. Winning in Tokyo will help me reach my dream."
Chumba will be up against defending champion Birhanu Legese, who despite missing to win in Berlin last September. He clocked 2:02:48 to become the fourth man to run the marathon under two hours and three minutes. Others are Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele and Dennis Kimetto. There is also Dubai champion Getaneh Molla and Sisay Lemma.
Race director Tadaaki Hayano said that the Japanese athletes, who are also eyeing Olympic tickets, will be keen to improve on the record of Yuta Shitara of 2:05:49 and replace national record holder Suguru Osako. Others to look out for are Yuki Sato and Kenta Murayama.
On the women's side, defending champion Ruti Aga and past winner Birhane Dibaba lead the Ethiopian lineup, which has nine runners keen to beat the course record out of the 12 elite women invited.
"Kenya is keen to look at the results from Tokyo, Boston and London in naming the final team to the Olympics. I hope to get my chance sealed in a win in Japan. My training is going on well and will know how good I am after a month," said Jemeli. Enditem
