Men's Marathon Team

There are no holdovers from Berlin. This is an entirely new team. On paper Gebregziabher Gebremariam is the slowest runner with a personal best of 2:08:14. He did run 2:04:53 at Boston but that time considered aided and does not count. The Boston time makes him the fastest runner. He joins a couple of 2:05 runners and a couple of 2:06 runners. This is a very young team. Feyisa Lilesa and Bazu Worku are just 21. Eshetu Wondimu is 25. Chala Dechase is 27. Gebregziabher Gebremariam's age shows him as being 26.

With the exception of Gebregziabher Gebremariam's win in New York none of the Ethiopian runners have won a major marathon. The Kenyans lineup included defending champion Abel Kirui, Benjamin Kolum Kiptoo (Paris winner) David Barmasai Tumo (Duabi winner), Vincent Kipruto (2009 Paris winner), (2010 Prague winner). In other words the Kenyans have beaten the Ethiopian guys before in ideal conditions. The Kenyans are experienced.

The Kenyan team could have been even stronger. Missing is Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai (London winner). Ethiopia is missing consistent performer Tsegay Kebede.

Gebregziabher Gebremariam has an incentive to perform. In the World Marathon Majors series he currently has 35 points and is 4th place Winning the World Championship can propel him into the series lead which can mean serious money.

If you see Ethiopians up front early don't get too excited. Chances are they will fade. There is always a chance someone like Ibrahim Jeilan can come through. However, Ibrahim's training was different - he trained in Japan. I am not sure that is the case with any of the marathon runners.