All eyes on Kiprtuto, Kebede in Kolkata World 25K Run

All eyes on Kiprtuto, Kebede in Kolkata World 25K Run

Sports Bureau

KOLKATA: Even though Daniel Ebenyo returns to the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata race as the defending champion, the maximum attention was reserved for his fellow Kenyan and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Benson Kipruto at a build-up event here on Friday.

Kipruto won the prestigious Tokyo, Chicago and Boston marathons in the past, but nothing matched the glory the 33-year-old cornered at Paris 2024.

“Life has changed since Paris. I am now getting a lot of invitations to run in marathons. There was a massive celebration back home. The first time I represented my country anywhere and won a bronze medal. It was a huge achievement for me,” said Kipruto, the younger brother of two-time major marathon winner Dickson Chumba, ahead of Sunday’s race.

“I am building a house in a small village near my training place, it’s 90 per cent complete now.”

Drained after competing on the hilly Paris Olympics route, Kipruto took his time to return to competition. “After Paris, I decided to take a break. I was supposed to run in Chicago, but I said ‘No’ because Paris was tough and I needed time to recover. I have started preparing for my next marathon. That’s why I came here to participate,” said Kipruto.

After winning the Delhi half-marathon, Ebenyo, who holds the event record of 1:11.13, looks forward to setting a course record in pleasant weather. “I will try for a course record here. The weather is good, the course is familiar,” said Ebenyo.