James Kwambai: Gebrselassie’s Biggest Threat?
- By Duncan Larkin
- Published Nov. 4, 2010
- Updated Sep. 12, 2012 at 12:56 PM UTC
There's a good chance the end of the ING New York City Marathon will look like this: Kwambai versus Gebrselassie. Photo: Photorun.net
All the pre-race focus seems to be on Haile Gebrselassie and Meb Keflezighi at this weekend’s ING New York City Marathon. But what about 2:04 marathoner James Kwambai?
The 27-year-old Kenyan’s PR is less than a minute from top-seeded Haile Gebrselassie’s. He’s also got the third-fastest marathon time ever. Kwambai’s coach, David Letting had this to say about Kwambai’s prospects this coming Sunday: “He is prepared, committed and trained hard for it.”
When Gebrselassie broke the world record in Berlin in 2008 with a 2:03:59, it was Kwambai who was on his heels. In that race he finished second in 2:05:36. And there’s no doubt that Kenya is on a roll this marathon season. According to Race Running Weekly, Kenyan men have won 38 out of 42 marathons this fall.
“They are dominating and will continue to dominate these races because of the preparation our runners are putting into these races. They are committed, willing to listen to instructions and working very hard,” Letting said.
For More: The Standard
FILED UNDER: New York City Marathon / News / NYC Marathon News TAGS: David Letting / Haile Gebrselassie / ING New York City Marathon / James Kwambai / Kenyan Runners
Duncan Larkin
Duncan Larkin is the news editor at Competitor.com and a freelance journalist who’s been covering the sport of running for over five years. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. His first running book, RUN SIMPLE, was released last July.