REIGNING CHAMPIONS RETURN FOR THE MARATHON
Sunday’s Honolulu Marathon will feature both of the race’s 2023 champions, Cynthia Limo and Paul Lonyangata of Kenya. In last year’s race Limo, the 2016 World Athletics Half-Marathon Championships silver medalist, won by a wide margin in her marathon debut. Her time of 2:33:01 was solid for Honolulu’s hilly course, intermittent rain, warm temperatures, and high humidity. She ran solo from 35 km to the finish.
“When we got to 35 kilometers, I felt that I was still strong and I knew it was only seven kilometers that remained, so I had to do it by myself,” said Limo. “I tried to push and push. I am so pleased.”
Limo’s key rival this year will be compatriot Judith Jeptum Korir, the 2022 World Athletics Championships Marathon silver medalist, who will be making her Honolulu Marathon debut. Also hoping for a podium spot will be Ethiopia’s Fantu Shugi Gelasa.
For Lonyangata, twice the Paris Marathon champion, this will be his third appearance in Honolulu. He was second in 2014 before coming back to win last year, getting away about 35 km into the race.
“When you prepare for everything you know you are ready,” said Lonyangata after last year’s race. “And when you decide when to make the move, you have to go hard.”
Other contenders this year include Eritrean Olympians Yemane Haileselassie and Amanuel Mesel, both of whom live and train in Flagstaff, Ariz., where they are coached by James McKirdy of McKirdy Trained. Haileselassie was fifth in the 2021 Olympic steeplechase, and Mesel competed in the heats of the 5000m at the 2012 London Olympics, and was 21st in the 2016 Olympic Marathon in Rio. Two other Kenyans, Reuben Kerio and Barnabas Kiptum, are also in the race. Kiptum is the fastest man in the field with a 2:04:17 personal best.
“The 52nd Honolulu marathon has a deep field of top athletes, including both defending champions Paul Lonyangata and Cynthia Limo,” said Dr. Barahal. “They will be challenged by a top field of international athletes, all competing for the $25,000 first prize as well as a solid gold first place medal.”
The solid-gold first place medal is hand-crafted by race sponsor SGC of Japan. The Honolulu Marathon is the only marathon in the world to present winners with a solid-gold medal in addition to their prize money.
“Their dedication to excellence mirrors the spirit of our event,” said Dr. Barahal of SGC.
In addition to the mile and marathon races, the popular Start to Park 10-K will start contemporaneously with the marathon on Sunday. That race has seen explosive growth, and organizers are expecting about 9,000 runners this year (there were 6961 finishers last year).
Men:
🇰🇪 Paul Lonyangata (KEN), PB: 2:06:10, Paris, Date: 09-Apr-2017
🇪🇷 Yemane Haileselassie (ERI), PB: 2:14:44, Boston, Date: 15-Apr-2024
🇪🇷 Amanuel Mesel (ERI), PB: 2:08:17, Valencia, Date: 17-Nov-2013
🇰🇪 Reuben Kerio (KEN), PB: 2:07:00, Eindhoven, Date: 13-Oct-2019
🇰🇪 Barnabas Kiptum (KEN), PB: 2:04:17, Milan, Date: 16-May-2021
🇯🇵 Suguru Osako (JPN), PB: 2:05:29, Tokyo, Date: 01-Mar-2020
🇯🇵 Kensuke Horio (JPN), PB: 2:08:25, Tokyo, Date: 06-Mar-2022
🇯🇵 Ryo Murata (JPN), PB: N/A, N/A, Date:
Women:
🇰🇪 Cynthia Limo (KEN), PB: 2:25:10, Hamburg, Date: 28-Apr-2024
🇰🇪 Judith Jeptum Korir (KEN), PB: 2:18:20, Eugene, Date: 18-Jul-2022
🇪🇹 Fantu Shugi Gelasa (ETH), PB: 2:29:20, Lisbon, Date: 08-Oct-2023
🇯🇵 Eri Suzuki (JPN), PB: 2:41:42, Tokyo, Date: 03-Mar-2024
