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Kenya's runners lead Frankfurt marathon elite field

Xinhua, October 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

It is a dream to wear the shoes of his mentor and big brother Martin Lel, but Paris marathon champion Cyprian Kotut now wants to follow his own path as he seeks a second title in as many attempts on Sunday during the Frankfurt marathon.

Kotut hopes a good run in the German city will move him closer to his target, getting a national team call ahead of the 2017 World Championships in London.

"I want to represent the country in international competition. My elder brother was good and he won London and New York races. I hope to go the same path and now the challenge ahead is in Frankfurt and hopefully, I will be able to excel," he said.

Kotut triumphed at this year's Paris marathon and improved his best by almost two minutes to 2:07:11. The 24-year-old will be eager to run another personal record on Frankfurt's flat course.

The Kenyan will be up against compatriot Mark Korir, a former winner of Paris (2015) and Ethiopia's Tadese Tola.

"Korir is a good racer and I hope it will help us get faster time. It is a big field with everyone keen to outdo the other. I will study the race as it proceeds and not put much pressure on myself and then we see what time best to attack," he added.

Korir, who was the only Kenyan to finish the Beijing World Championship marathon race from Kenya, in position 22 clocking 2:21:20, has not had a good season and will be keen to redeem his image in Frankfurt. Endit