Press Release - Istanbul Marathon - 10/12/23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            Turkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon on 5th November:

             Who emerges next in Istanbul after world champions 
                         Chepngetich and Kiplangat?          

It was the Istanbul Marathon that provided the platform for two current 
stars to significantly propel their marathon careers. Kenya's Ruth 
Chepngetich and Victor Kiplangat of Uganda both ran their debuts and won 
them in Istanbul in 2017 and 2021 respectively. The two then went on to 
become World Marathon Champions. Chepngetich took the gold in 2019 in Doha 
and Kiplangat triumphed in Budapest this August. Could the next edition of 
the Turkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon on 5th November produce another 
future star runner? While Kenyans Reuben Kipyego and Beatrice Cheptoo head 
the current start lists with strong personal bests of 2:03:55 and 2:22:28 
respectively, compatriot Moses Koech and Rachael Chebet of Uganda are 
promising debutants. 

Including races at shorter distances a total of 45,000 runners are expected 
to take part in the 45th edition of the Turkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul 
Marathon. Around 4,500 of them will run the classic distance. Turkey's 
major marathon race features a unique course over two continents, starting 
in Asia and finishing in Europe. It is a Gold Label Road Race of World 
Athletics. Online entry is still available until 16th October at: 
https://maraton.istanbul

With a world-class time of 2:03:55 Reuben Kipyego is the fastest runner 
ever entered into the Istanbul Marathon. The 27 year-old Kenyan achieved 
his personal best in Milan where he was runner-up in 2021. Additionally 
Kipyego has run a couple of more strong marathons. Among those is his third 
place in Rotterdam with 2:05:12 in 2022. It will be the first time the 
Kenyan competes in Istanbul and he will face a tough field. 

Ethiopia's Gadise Shumie currently is the second fastest runner on the 
start list with a PB of 2:04:59. With this time he won the Sevilla Marathon 
earlier this year, improving his former personal best by well over four 
minutes. Although already 31 years old his international career only begun 
two years ago, when Shumie won his debut marathon in Montreal with 2:09:25. 
He will travel to Istanbul unbeaten in the marathon so far. 

Knowing the Istanbul course can be of significant advantage, especially 
with regard to the tough uphill stretch in the final section. It was here 
where Robert Kipkemboi dropped his last remaining rival a year ago and went 
on to win the race in 2:10:18. The defending champion from Kenya, who has a 
PB of 2:07:09, will return to the Turkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon. 
Compatriot Moses Koech looks promising among a number of debutants. He has 
run a 59:31 half marathon in Ostia, Italy, last year. 

With regard to her international career Beatrice Cheptoo can still be 
considered a newcomer. The 30 year-old Kenyan ran her first race outside 
Kenya less than 24 months ago, when she finished third in Malaga with 
2:25:20. A year ago she took the Melbourne marathon and in January Cheptoo 
then improved significantly to 2:22:28 when she was third in Doha. With 
this time the Kenyan currently is the fastest woman in the field and taking 
into account her strong development she is a strong favorite in Istanbul. 

Just 23 years old Sifan Melaku is still very young for a marathon runner. 
When the Ethiopian clocked her PB of 2:23:49 in Seville over three years 
ago she had just turned 20. This summer Melaku showed fine form, when she 
won the Stockholm Marathon. A debutant who could shine in the Türkiye Is 
Bankasi Istanbul Marathon is Rachel Chebet. The Ugandan, who will celebrate 
her 27th birthday on the race day, has a strong cross country background. 
In 2019 she was fourth in the World Championships. A half marathon PB of 
68:46 from earlier this year indicates that she should be ready for a good 
marathon debut.  

For Rachel Chebet as well as Turkey's Sultan Haydar qualification for the 
Olympic Games in 2024 is probably the main goal. Haydar, who holds the 
national record with 2:24:44 from 2015, started a comeback a year ago. Now 
36 years old she recently showed improved form with a 69:12 half marathon 
in Ankara. Sultan Haydar may well be able to break the Olympic qualifying 
standard of 2:26:50 on 5th November in Istanbul.

More information and online entry is available at: https://maraton.istanbul

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