Tadesse Tola favourite for Eindhoven Marathon
Eindhoven, The Netherlands – (Press Release) - The Ethiopian runner Tadesse Tola is the favourite for winning De Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven on Sunday October 14th. He must take into account the formidable opposition of two 19-year old runners: his compatriot Sisay Jisa and Kenyan Eric Ndiema.
If Tola is first to cross the finish line, he is the third Ethiopian athlete to win the Eindhoven Marathon. This previously happened in 1994 and 1996. Last Year Tola was fourth in Eindhoven, this was due to poor preparation. In the spring, he improved his personal best time in Dubai with 2.05.10. This is more than half a minute faster than the current course record which Jafred Kipchumba ran in 2011, with 2.05.48. Tola has previously won the Paris Marathon and the New York Half Marathon.
In April, his compatriot Sisay Jisa made his marathon debut in Paris, where he finished third with a time of 2.06.07. Eric Ndiema (Kenyan) ran his first marathon last year in Amsterdam, with his time of 02.06.07, he is one of the fastest three debutants ever. The Kenyan Nathaniel Kipkosgei will also be at the start. In 2011, he started as pacemaker and surprisingly finished second with a time of 2.06.28. This year he has indicated that he will only run as pacemaker.
The Eindhoven Marathon will also host the Dutch Championship Marathon. The men’s favourite is Koen Raymaekers (32), who aims to win his third national title after his success in 2009 and 2010. He has a personal record of 2.10.35. In the women’s event is 39 year old Miranda Boonstra one of the favourites. In the spring in Rotterdam she ran a time of 2.27.32.
