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Wilson Chebet Eyes Second Straight Win at Honolulu Marathon - RRW

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Dec 12th 2015, 5:55pm
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Wilson Chebet Eyes Second Straight Win at Honolulu Marathon

By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom
(c) 2015 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - used with permission


HONOLULU (11-Dec) -- With a snow-white colored parrot in one hand and the other hand making the traditional Hawaiian shaka sign, defending Honolulu Marathon champion Wilson Chebet was clearly enjoying himself. Having arrived on Thursday, the 30-year-old is ready for Sunday's race, where he'll seek to become the eighth Kenyan man to repeat as victor. 

Before he laces up his adidas racing flats and gets down to business, Chebet reveled in the atmosphere of a photo session along the ocean. It was the first time he'd ever seen --or held-- tropical colored parrots.

"It was scary the first time, but I saw everyone was happy about it and I decided to hold one. I was happy about the birds," Chebet said with enthusiasm, having not stopped smiling since passing on the colorful creatures to another competitor. "Last year I came here but I didn't have time to come and stay on the beach and see parrots like this. But this year I'm real happy I did."

A year ago, Chebet arrived fewer than 48 hours before the race's start, having faced travel and visa difficulties. Even so, he broke away from a strong field in the final miles and went on to win the rain-soaked contest in 2:15:35. 

Chebet said his training this year has gone even better than in 2014, and he's entering Sunday's race riding a wave of confidence. Less than two months ago he placed fifth at the Amsterdam Marathon in 2:08:45, a race he's won three times before. Since then he's trained both in Iten and Eldoret. 

"Training has been going well since Amsterdam. I've been doing my speedwork and long runs. Everything is OK and I feel good," he said. "The course is tough and I know it's challenging... But I will try my best." 

Among the athletes aiming to take the champion's lei from Chebet are master's world record holder Kenneth Mungara and half-marathon ace Stephen Kosgei, as well as fellow Kenyans Benjamin Kiptoo, Felix Kiprotich, Robert Kwambai, and Daniel Limo. Also entered are Qatari Nicholas Kemboi and Ethiopian Daniel Abera. 

Yet none of Chebet's challengers possess the swagger that comes with being defending champion. Aware that Kenyan running stars such as Ibrahim Hussein, James Muindi, and Patrick Ivuti have called themselves two-time champions of this race, Chebet gains a sense of motivation and fire. 

"Coming back as a champion, you feel humble. I am real happy about it," he said after a brief chuckle. "I am not joining them yet. I am still finding myself to win another one, then I will join them!"

Speaking like a seasoned marathon veteran (he has run seven marathons under 2:08:50), Chebet was cautiously optimistic about chasing the 11-year-old event record of 2:11:12. It all depends on the weather, he said, as well as how the field plays their cards. In 2014 the leaders battled rain and wind through halfway, creating a slow and tactical race. Chebet waited until less than five kilometers remained to make his winning move. 

This year, he said that if the conditions are right and his fellow competitors are feeling good, they could keep the tempo honest from start to finish. Chebet predicted the race would develop around 30-K (18.6 miles) -- along the challenging stretch of Kalanianaole Highway.

"When we stay together we can achieve something good. I am really happy about it," he said. "For anyone to win, it's fine. But if it's not windy from in front, and if the wind is from behind, we can really improve our time. I don't think about the course record. Just run." 

After today's fun-filled photo shoot, complete with parrots, body boards, beach balls, and ukuleles, many of the athletes relaxed in the sun at Waikiki Beach. Looking out over the water and smiling was Chebet, standing above all on a concrete pier. Envisioning what another win here would mean to him, he shook his head.

"It gives me courage," Chebet began. "I can assure you it gives me courage. I am still strong and am really happy and have been focusing with the training to make sure I can do something good for all the people." 



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