Edna Kiplagat and Dennis Kimetto announced for Boston Marathon, while Galen Rupp withdraws from Houston Half Marathon

Kimetto for Boston

World record-holder Dennis Kimetto will compete in the Boston Marathon on April 17, informs organisers.

Kimetto is one of seven runners in the field with a sub-2:05 lifetime best along with his Kenyan teammates Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13), Patrick Makau (2:03:38) and Sammy Kitwara (2:04:28).

Reigning champion Lemi Berhanu (2:04:33) is also in the line-up along with fellow Ethiopians Yemane Tsegay (2:04:48) and Dino Sefir (2:04:50).

USA’s former champion Meb Keflezighi (2:08:37) will run his penultimate marathon in Boston, while Abdi Abdirahman (2:08:56) and Olympic bronze medallist Galen Rupp (2:10:05) also spearhead the domestic challenge.

The elite women’s race includes three athletes with sub-2:20 PBs: Kenyans Gladys Cherono (2:19:25) and Edna Kiplagat (2:19:50) with Ethiopia’s Buzunesh Deba, who holds the course record with 2:19:59.

Other notable entrants include home favourite Shalane Flanagan (2:21:14) reigning champion Atsede Baysa (2:22:03), former NYC winner Jelena Prokopcuka (2:22:56) and 2014 champion Caroline Rotich (2:23:22).

Rupp to miss Houston Half

Galen Rupp has pulled out of the Houston Half Marathon on Sunday due to a foot injury, informs organisers.

“Unfortunately I will be unable to race on Sunday due to plantar fasciitis in my foot. It is improving, but not enough to run a half-marathon on. I hope to get the chance to run the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in the future,” he said.

Rupp was rumoured to be planning an attempt on Ryan Hall’s American record of 59:43.

Mare Dibaba has pulled out of the women’s half-marathon due to a death in the family while Tigist Tufa has also withdrawn due to injury.

The half-marathon fields are headed by Ethiopians Feyisa Lilesa and Yigrem Demelash in the men’s race and Kenya’s Mary Wacera in the women’s race, while Ethiopians Biruktayit Degefa and Birhanu Gedefa will defend their marathon titles.

Abshero out of Mumbai Marathon

Ethiopia’s Ayele Abshero has pulled out of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, informs organisers.

With Abshero absent due to a back injury, Kenya’s Levy Matebo starts among the pre-race favourites and he will be aiming to improve the course record of 2:08:35.

“I want to see the course first and then I will plan my race but yes, I am aiming for course record,” he said.

Other favourites include last year’s runner-up Seboka Dibaba from Ethiopia and Olympic fifth-placer Alphonce Simbu from Tanzania.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Dinknesh Mekash (2:23:12 PB) will be looking for her third title. “My preparations have been going well, no problems. This is my fourth time in Mumbai (she was also second in 2013) so I know the course well now, that has to be an advantage,” she said.

Australia names Nitro team

The Australian team for the Nitro Athletics Series in Melbourne next month has an average age of 22, informs organisers.

The team is spearheaded by Ryan Gregson, Morgan Mitchell, Genevieve LaCaze, Fabrice Lapierre, Brooke Stratton, Kathryn Mitchell and Michelle Jenneke, while youngsters Jack Hale, Kurtis Marschall and Anneliese Rubie are also in the team.

Collins vs Lemaitre

Ever young sprinter Kim Collins will go head-to-head with Christophe Lemaitre at the Meeting d’Athletisme de Mondeville on February 4. The 60m field also includes the USA’s Ronnie Baker and Ghana’s Sean Safo-Antwi.

Cindy Billaud is also confirmed for the 60m hurdles.

Sharp at Armory Track Invitational

Britain’s Olympic 800m finalist Lynsey Sharp will compete in the 600m at the Armory Track Invitational in New York on February 3-4, informs milesplit.com. Sharp will face world indoor silver medallist Ajee’ Wilson and world junior champion Sammy Watson.

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