Ethiopian long-distance sensation Gotytom Gebreslase is primed to make a mark at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon as she sets her sights on breaking the course record in this prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label road race.
Gebreslase, the reigning 2022 world champion, enters the marathon fresh off securing silver at the World Championships in Budapest. With a personal best of 2:18:11, achieved during her world title triumph in Oregon, the 29-year-old Ethiopian is determined to elevate her performance even further.
Expressing her ambitions at the pre-event press conference, Gebreslase outlined her goals for the race. “My goal for Sunday is to run under 2 hours and 18 minutes, and if the weather and pacemakers are good, I will try to break the course record of 2:17:18,” she declared confidently.
Gebreslase faces tough competition, notably from Bahrain’s Eunice Chebichii Chumba, who boasts an impressive resume including a seventh-place finish in the Olympic Games marathon in Sapporo. Additionally, Romania’s Delvine Relin Meringor, fresh off her national record performance in Barcelona, poses another formidable challenge.
For Japanese athletes in the field, the Nagoya Marathon serves as a final opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympics. With fierce competition, including top-tier runners such as Yuka Ando, Ayuko Suzuki, and Rika Kaseda, the stakes are high.
The international contingent further includes Kenyan standout Violah Cheptoo, Italian champion Giovanna Epis, and Australia’s Eloise Wellings, all prepared to test their mettle against the best in the world.
As the anticipation builds for the Nagoya Women’s Marathon, all eyes are on Gebreslase as she aims to etch her name into the annals of marathon history by conquering the course and breaking records on Sunday.
Leading entries
Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) 2:18:11
Eunice Chebichii Chumba (BRN) 2:20:02
Delvine Relin Meringor (ROU) 2:20:49
Yuka Ando (JPN) 2:21:36
Ayuko Suzuki (JPN) 2:21:52
Rika Kaseda (JPN) 2:21:55
Violah Cheptoo (KEN) 2:22:44
Momoko Watanabe (JPN) 2:23:08
Giovanna Epis (ITA) 2:23:46
Eloise Wellings (AUS) 2:25:10
Hikari Ohnishi (JPN) 2:25:54
Camille French (NZL) 2:26:08
Li Zhixuan (CHN) 2:26:15
Yuri Karasawa (JPN) 2:27:27
Honoka Tanaike (JPN) 2:27:30
Xia Yuyu (CHN) 2:28:57
Kaena Takeyama (JPN) 2:29:20
Beverly Ramos (PUR) 2:31:10
Yuri Mitsune (JPN) 2:31:26
