Elites to chase Bekele’s record at Paris Marathon

The Paris Marathon announced their elite fields for the April 12 race and it is one of the race’s strongest ever.

Though lacking in the world’s very top stars, the men’s race will be deep with athletes looking to break distance running legend Kenenisa Bekele’s course record from his debut in the French capital last year.

Bekele, who will be racing in Dubai on Friday, set the course record in Paris at 2:05:04 during his first 42.2K race. This year there are five men with personal bests below 2:06, making them reasonable potential record candidates.

Headlining will be 2011 Chicago champ Moses Mosop of Kenya. He’s run 2:03:06 in Boston, a time which that year didn’t even snag him the title.

Also racing will be a familiar face to Toronto runners. The 2013 Toronto Waterfront Marathon champion, Deressa Chimsa, will also line up in Paris. The Ethiopian has run 2:05:42.

Bazu Worku and Vincent Kipruto of Ethiopia and Kenya, respectively, also hold sub-2:06 personal bests.

On the women’s side, though the record seems like likely to be challenged, the field will be strong, hosting four runners who have run faster than 2:24.