Barsoton to line up for Delhi Half Marathon meet
Leonard Barsoton trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet on November 21, 2020. Barsoton will compete in the New Delhi Half Marathon this Sunday.
What you need to know:
- Barsoton was in sixth during the World Half Marathon Championships held in Gdynia, Poland where he clocked 59:34 on October 17. He said he faced a lot of challenges prior to the race including a short period of preparation.
- “I finished sixth in the World Half Marathon. That was my first race since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March, and it came with it’s own share of challenges. I didn’t prepare well compared to when you train in a group, but that is gone and I’m focusing ahead,” he said.
Former World Half Marathon silver medallist Leonard Barsoton is among a few Kenyan athletes who will compete in Sunday’s New Delhi Half Marathon.
Race organisers have invited 60 athletes for the competition which will start and end at the Jawaharlal Nerhu Stadium.
Other Kenyan athletes in the race are Josphat Boit, Edwin Kiptoo and Shadrack Kimining. They will be looking to wrestle the title from the Ethiopians who dominated the race last year.
But the Kenyans will face an uphill task against Ethiopians Andamlak Belihu, the defending champion, Guye Adola, Amdework Walelegn Solomon Berihu and Bahrain’s Abraham Cheroben.
Last year, Belihu (59:10) and Berihu (59:17) took the first and second positions, respectively, while Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie sealed the podium positions in 59:33.
Lower personal best
Japan-based Barsoton told Nation Sport that he has good training but his big mission is to lower his personal best time when he lines up for the race on Sunday.
“Since I will be competing among the best athletes, it is possible for me to lower my personal best. I think that is achievable. It has been a tricky year in terms of competitions but I’m happy I will participate in two races this year,” the athlete said.
Barsoton was in sixth during the World Half Marathon Championships held in Gdynia, Poland where he clocked 59:34 on October 17. He said he faced a lot of challenges prior to the race including a short period of preparation.
“I finished sixth in the World Half Marathon. That was my first race since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March, and it came with it’s own share of challenges. I didn’t prepare well compared to when you train in a group, but that is gone and I’m focusing ahead,” he said.
Barsoton, who has been in the country since January, plans to go into full marathon.
