Irene Cheptai set for Haspa Marathon Hamburg debut

2017 world cross country champion and 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist Irene Cheptai will make her marathon debut this April when she lines up for the 38th Haspa Marathon Hamburg.

Set for 28 April, Cheptai, who has competed on all surfaces will finally have her day in the classic distance as she hopes to ignite another exciting part of her running career. 

Making her debut alongside another Kenyan Nelly Jepchumba and Bahrain's Roselida Jepketer, Cheptai renews rivalry with compatriot Winfridah Moseti.

The duo faced off at the Copenhagen half marathon in September 2023 with Cheptai carrying the day after clocking 1:05:53 as Moseti who clocked 1:06:40 settled for second. Jesca Chelangat completed the podium after timing 1:07:03. 

Moseti, a 2023 Frankfurt Marathon silver medalist with a time of 02:20:55 headline the women’s elite field alongside Sharon Chelimo who has a personal best time of 02:22:07.

Cheptai achieved the fourth fastest time over the half marathon distance in the world in 2023 and she will be banking on that form to propel her to a successful debut. 

Also included are runners such as Kidusan Alema from Ethiopia (02:22:28), Natasha Wodak from Canada – the Canadian record holder with a personal best of 02:23:12 – and Margaret Wangari from Kenya with a time of 02:23:52 with the party. Portuguese runner Jessica Augusto (02:24:25) will also be at the start again. She already won the Haspa Marathon in 2017.

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Meanwhile, the men's top-class elite field is led by defending champion Bernard Koech from Kenya. Koech, who not only won last year but also set a new course record with a time of 2:04:09 hours, is undoubtedly the runner to beat.

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Dickson Chumba, who won the 2014 Chicago Marathon in a personal best of 2:04:32 hours, will also be at the start. 

Among other top athletes is world half marathon bronze medalist Samwel Mailu (02:05:08), winner of the 2023 Vienna Marathon and Abdisa Tola from Ethiopia with his strong time of 2:05:42 achieved at the Dubai Marathon 2023.

The international field of participants also includes other outstanding runners, including Tsedat Ayana (Ethiopia, 2:06:18), Felix Kipkoech (Kenya, 2:07:44), Liam Adams (Australia, 2:08:39), Amaury Paquet (Belgium, 2:08:44) and Martin Musau (Uganda, 2:08:45), who won the Haspa Marathon Hamburg 2021.