New York, US - African runners are top on the list of the elite field announced on Thursday for the 2012 Boston Marathon in the US. Reigning champions Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel, both of Kenya, will defend their titles at the event, but they face an uphill task as they will be challenged by the fastest men’s and women’s fields ever assembled for this IAAF Gold Label Road Race, according to athletics world governing body IAAF.

With 31 contenders setting their personal best time in the past two years, including eight men under 2:07 and ten women under 2:24, the race will prove highly competitive.

Last year, Mutai ran an unmatched 2:03:02 on Boston’s certified course, without the aid of pacesetters, and then followed that accomplishment with a course record win in New York City.

Although the course is considered aided for World record recognition, Mutai is nonetheless the fastest marathoner in history, and the only man to ever set course records at Boston and New York in the same year.

Top contenders challenging Mutai include last year’s third place finisher and 2010 New York City champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia, 2010 Boston champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, 2011 Amsterdam and Rotterdam winner Wilson Chebet, and 2011 Chicago second and third place finishers Wesley Korir and Bernard Kipyego, all of Kenya..

Others include some young talents like 2011 Fukuoka champion Josphat Ndambiri, 22011 Amsterdam runner-up Laban Korir, 2012 Xiamen winner Peter Kamais, 2011 Dubai champion David Barmasai, and Half Marathon specialist Mathew Kisorio, all Kenyans.

Americans Antonio Vega and Jason Hartmann, Kenyans Frankline Chepkwony and Dickson Chumba, and Netherlander Michel Butter are also in the elite field.

In the women's event, Kilel will be challenged by Kenyan teammates Sharon Cherop and Caroline Rotich. Cherop and Rotich ran with Kilel through the final miles last year in Boston before finishing third and fourth respectively.

A strong Ethiopian contingent will also seek the crown, with last year’s New York City winner Firehiwot Dado and runner up Buzunesh Deba teaming up again, to be joined by Aselefech Mergia, the Dubai winner and newly crowned 2:19:31 national record holder.

Also in the mix will be the talented Mamitu Daska, who won Frankfurt last year, setting a new course record.

Pana 10/02/2012