It has been confirmed that Kenenisa Bekele will take part in this year’s Chicago Marathon on October 12.
The Ethiopian’s outing in Chicago will be his first road race on American soil, and just his sixth time competing in the States.
The 32-year-old ran the sixth quickest marathon debut time in his first 26.2 mile appearance in Paris earlier this year, with a time of 2:05:03.
With a taste of the distance under his belt, Bekele believes his experience will set him in good stead to target Chicago’s course record of 2:03:45.
“I am looking forward to coming back to America, and to running fast,” the Ethiopian said, “I have heard great things about the fans in Chicago and the course.
“After my win in Paris, I understand the marathon distance a lot better and I will bring that experience to Chicago. I know Chicago has a very fast course and, therefore, my goal is to break the course record of 2:03:45. After that, everything is possible.”
Chicago’s renowned marathon course has witnessed four world records in its time, and organisers believe Bekele is the ideal athlete to threaten Wilson Kipsang’s mark of 2:03:23. ‚Ä®
Chicago Marathon executive race director, Carey Pinkowski, spoke: “Kenenisa Bekele is one of the best, most versatile and exciting athletes competing on the global stage today.”‚Ä®‚Ä®
Adding: “Any time an athlete of Bekele’s caliber lines up to race, course records and world records are in jeopardy. We expect Bekele to put on a speed show, and it’s not out of the question to think that Bekele could bring the World Record back home to Chicago.”
