Abel Kipchumba braving up for tough Boston Marathon challenge

Kenyan long-distance runner Abel Kipchumba believes he's got what it takes to finally land a maiden full marathon podium finish, when he takes on the demanding Boston Marathon scheduled for Monday 21 April.

Kipchumba, 31, is off an appearance at the United Airlines New York City Half marathon last month, where he won with a time of 59:09 to become the event's back-to-back champion.

Speaking to The Star on Tuesday, Kipchumba said the race in New York gave him confidence ahead of a daunting task in one of the toughest marathons in the world.

"I was using the New York Half to train and prepare for the Boston Marathon,” Kipchumba said. “I have a lot of confidence going to Boston. I will go and try my best and see what happens."

Confidence is one thing, but Kipchumba's marathon record tells a challenging story.

Since his debut on the streets of Berlin in 2019, Kipchumba is yet to finish in the top-three of any full marathon, despite carrying the tag of being the 10th-fastest half marathoner of all time.

"This year I have done lots of long runs as compared to last year when I competed at the New York Marathon,” Kipchumba said, reflecting on his 2:10:39 eighth-place finish.

Compared to a month-plus lay-off to the major race in New York last year, Kipchumba has remained a tad active in preparation for what he expects to be a demanding race.

Date set for 2025 Nairobi City Marathon

"Boston is a very tactical race and hard," the 2024 Great North Run winner said. "The weather there may change at any given time.

"In Boston, anyone can emerge victorious.”

His task is not made easier, as he will come up against experienced runners including: two-time Boston Marathon champions Evans Chebet and Lelisa Desisa, Chicago Marathon champion John Korir, Boston Marathon defending champion Sisay Lemma, and the Kenyan duo of CyBrian Kotut and Daniel Mateiko.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi explains Grand Slam Track decision that earned him Ksh12.9 million