The world’s fastest female half-marathoner, Joyciline Jepkosgei, was favored to win here Sunday in her 26.2-mile debut. But the 24-year-old Kenyan is a late scratch from the Honolulu Marathon due to a twisted ankle and strained hamstring.
At first, Jepkosgei thought the injuries would not keep her from the Ala Moana Park starting line. She was ready to go with her visa approved and travel arrangements from Kenya set, said her manager, Davor Savija. But when she tried to do some light jogging Monday, the injuries were worse.
“I worked with the physio, but we ran out of time,” Jepkosgei said Tuesday. “I was very much looking forward to the race and I hope to compete in Honolulu in the future. Best wishes to all the runners, have fun.”
In 2017, Jepkosgei won the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in 64 minutes, 52 seconds, a world record for the distance. In the same race, she also broke the world marks for 10K, 15K and 20K.
Though not as spectacular as in 2017, Jepkosgei was training and racing well this year. Until her injury last week, there was no reason to think she would not at least contend for the win here.
“These things happen,” Honolulu Marathon president Jim Barahal said. “We built our (women’s) field around her. But it opens an opportunity for someone else. It’s not the deepest (elite) field.”
Barahal even suggested that a runner who is not a pro from Kenya might win for the first time since 2013.
Brigid Kosgei, who crossed the Kapiolani Park finish line in a course-record 2:22:15 last year, is not back. But Joyce Chepkirui, who won in 2014 and 2015, is here.
Wilson Chebet is among the men’s favorites. Since winning in 2014 he has been second every year, despite posting the third and fifth fastest times in the 45-year history of the event (2:09:55 last year, 2:10:49 in 2016). Lawrence Cherono, who won in 2:08:27 last year, eclipsing the record he set the year before by 71 seconds, is not entered.
Around 27,000 people are expected to register for the marathon, plus another 5,000 for the Start To Park 10K.
Close to 2,000 are expected for the Kalakaua Merrie Mile on Saturday. Edward Cheserek won a record 17 NCAA championships at Oregon and has the second-best indoor mile time of 3:49:44. He is back to defend his title after covering the Monsarrat Avenue course in 3:58 last year.
