Top Kenyan Predicts Hard Debut Marathon for Farah

Published by Business Recorder on January 15, 2014

Former London marathon winner Emmanuel Mutai has played down excitement over Mo Farah's marathon debut challenge in the race in April, saying the Briton has little chance of beating the savvy East Africans.

Mutai, who holds the course record of 2:04.40 he set in winning the race in 2011, said double Olympic and world 5,000m and 10,000m champion Farah will have a tough time making the leap to 42.2km (26.2 miles).

"This not to say that I am underrating him, but with all respect Mo Farah has had no experience in running a full marathon," Mutai told AFP.

"He only tried the half marathon last year. Competing in a full marathon requires a lot experience, high endurance and mental preparation. You can run well in the first 35k, but the last seven kilometres can be very challenging even for an experienced runner," said Mutai, a seasoned veteran who will making his sixth consecutive appearance in London on April 13.

The 29-year-old Kenyan, who took second spot behind Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede last year in the English capital, said he expected his three-year course record to come under threat considering the high quality of the field entered for the 2014 race.

"Everybody will be focusing on setting a new course record. But I am ready for the challenge and hope to do my own solo run from the front," said Mutai, who holds the fifth fastest official time over the distance -- his 2:03.52 second-place finish in Chicago last year.