Kiprotich, five others off to Germany for Hamburg Marathon

In pursuit to hit better qualification marks for Tokyo Olympics, Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) released another team of six marathon runners slated to leave the country today to compete in the NN Mission Marathon in Hamburg, German on April 18, 2021.

The group led by 2012 London Olympic gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich include National Record holder Felix Chemonges, Jackson Kiprop, Geoffrey Kusuro and Benard Cheptoch.

The Ugandans are among a strong crop of 35 top class elite runners lined up for the marathon who include Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge..

The mission of the Ugandan runners is to hit better qualification marks for Tokyo Olympics that will provide them chance to win one of the three slots available on the Uganda team for the games.

This is the third Ugandan group for international outing that UAF selected in bid to improve their individual world rankings ahead of the on-going qualification window for Tokyo Olympics.

The deadline for qualification is set for end of June 2021.

Uganda registered one marathon Olympic qualifier, Immaculate Chemutai in 2:29:09 during the recently concluded Xiamen International Marathon held on April 11 in Italy.

The other group of track runners, placed 4th Shida Leni 52.77 (400m) and winner Emmanuel Osuje 1:51.35 (800m) posted promising performances in the All-comers Zambia Meet on April.

Uganda Athletics Federation has a chance to increase on their long list of athletes to represent Uganda at the forthcoming Tokyo event, topping up to the already qualified Joshua Cheptegei, Halima Nakaayi, Winnie Nanyondo, Ronald Musagala, Albert Chemutai, Peruth Chemutai, Esther Chebet, Abdallah Mande Kibet, Stella Chesang, Sarah Chelangat, Juliet Chekwel, immaculate Chemutai, among others.