CHANCES for local athletes to make an impression at this month’s MTN Kampala International marathon have improved after fresh reports that last year’s champions; Isaiah Kosgei (men) and Priscah Jameli (women) will not defend their titles.

The reports say that the two Kenyan athletes are not part of the list that was recently presented to the event organizers by the Kenyan Athletics Federation.

Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame is meanwhile set to lead Rwanda’s six-man field which also includes promising talent Sylvain Rukundo, Fred Twahirwa, Eric Mazimpaka, Gregoire Nyabyenda and Criaque Ndayikengurukiye.

Rukundo finished 11th in last month’s 3rd IAAF World Half Marathon race staged in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will be looking to build on that show.

The marathon, rolling into its 5th edition has attracted over 10,000 athletes. 35 athletes from Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania are part of the foreign contingent.

The marathon, scheduled for November 23 has sh39m (about Frw 13) in prize money.  Competing in only her third marathon, Kenya’s Prisca Jameli won the women’s race in 2:48:47 ahead of counterpart Risper Kimaiyo (2:50:58) and Ugandan Grace Muzaki (2:55:04).

But on a whole, Ugandan athletes dominated last year’s edition and are eager should be relishing their chances this year.

The marathon has become a very popular sporting as well as social event in the region.

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