Kwemoi full of confidence as he bids to end 2023 on a high in Abu Dhabi
Andrew Kwemoi, the first Ugandan to win the Milano Marathon, hopes to crown a breakthrough year with victory in Saturday’s fifth Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon.
Kwemoi, 23, has been in good form in 2023 and recorded a personal best of two hours, seven minutes, and 14 seconds, in Milan in April. He is returning to the UAE capital having picked up a silver medal in the 10k race held at the second edition of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon back in 2019.
“I remember that well. I was 19 and just beginning my professional career,” Kwemoi told The National at a launch ceremony held at the marathon’s event village adjoining Adnoc headquarters on Thursday.
“This time I have come here for the main race and the main prize. It’s only my second marathon after Milano in April. I’m hopeful of replicating that run here in Abu Dhabi. I have prepared for this race for over three months and have come here in good shape. Obviously, it’s a strong field but I’m here ready to run my race.”
Competing for a share of the $303,000 prize fund are some of the top-ranked distance runners in the world, including Kenyan pair Kiptum Barnabas, who finished first in both the 2019 Hong Kong and the 2017 Buenos Aires marathons, and Leonard Barsoton, who set an impressive personal best of 2:09:06 earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the last-minute withdrawal of Brigid Kosgei’s main challenger, the Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba, has left the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist as an overwhelming favourite in the elite women category.
The 29-year-old Kosgei took fourth spot at the New York Marathon last month in a time of 2:27.45. Prior to that, she won the Chicago Marathon in 2018 and 2019, and the London Marathon in 2019 and 2020.
“This is my first time in Abu Dhabi and I have come here to run my race and win the prize,” she said. “It’s hard to predict the results and breaking the course record. My colleagues Vivian Kiplagat (2019) and Judith Korir (2021) have won this race before and I would be hoping to join them on the roll of honour list in Abu Dhabi.”