Tata Steel Marathon: Olympian Kipruto in focus while Ebenyo and Kebede looks to retain respective crowns

Even though Daniel Ebenyo returned to the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata race as the defending champion, the maximum attention was reserved for his fellow Kenyan Paris Olympics bronze medallist Benson Kipruto at a build-up event here on Friday.

Kipruto won the prestigious Tokyo, Chicago and Boston marathons in the past, but nothing matched the glory the 33-year-old cornered at Paris 2024.

“Life has changed since Paris. I am now getting a lot of invitations to run in marathons. There was a massive celebration back home. First time I represented my country anywhere and won a bronze medal. It was a huge achievement for me,” said Kipruto, the younger brother of two-time major marathon winner Dickson Chumba, ahead of Sunday’s race.

“I am building a house in a small village near my training place, it’s 90 per cent complete now.”

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Drained after competing on the hilly Paris Olympics route, Kipruto took his time to return to competition. “After Paris, I decided to take a break. I was supposed to run in Chicago, but I said ‘No’ because Paris was tough and I needed time to recover. I have started preparing for my next marathon. That’s why I came here to participate,” said Kipruto.

After winning the Delhi half-marathon, Ebenyo, who holds the event record of 1:11.13, looks forward to setting a course record in pleasant weather. “I will try for a course record here. The weather is good, the course is familiar,” said Ebenyo.

Last year’s women’s champion Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia, who recorded some fine performances after changing her lifestyle and getting rid of a stomach issue, wants to retain her title after winning the Tokyo marathon and finishing second in the Chicago marathon.

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“I have changed my coach. My husband now coaches me. I had time to prepare for this event. I am confident of defending my title,” said Sutume, who owns the women’s record of 1:18:47.

Top Indian runners, including defending champion Sawan Barwal, 5000m and 10000m National record holder Gulveer Singh among men and Sanjivani Jadhav and local girl Lili Das among women, were also confident of registering better timings.