Mimi Belete (15:11.60 in 5000m) and Ruth Chebet (9:20.55 in 3000m steeplechase) are top guns from Bahrain while Ayumi Hagiwara (31:50.85 in 10000m) and Ryoko Kizaki (2:25:26 in Marathon) the favourites from Japan. Belete was a gold medalist in her event in 2010 while Chebet sets the Asian Record about a month ago in Zurich. Incidentally Chebet won the steeple gold in the rain-hit Asian championships at Pune last year but had lost it to second placed Sudha Singh of India since her ‘transfer’ from Kenya to Bahrain was not effected as per IAAF at that time. With inaugural Asian Games steeplechase champion Sudha struggling to maintain her pace this time, it will be a cake-walk for Chebet in Incheon. However, as mentioned earlier UAE’s Betlhem will be major threat for both Belete and Chebet in their respective events.
Japan’s athletes are the virtual leaders in long distances. Kasumi Nishihara (31:53.69) along with Hagiwara leading the challenge in 10000m while Eri Hayakawa (2:25:31) will partner with Kizaki in the marathon. UAE runner Alia Mohamed Saeed is another keen athlete to watch in 10000m. North Korea’s Kim Hye Gyong (2:27:05) and Kim Hye Song (2:27:58) together Bahraini stars Eunice Jepkirui (2:21:42 PB in 2012) and Lishan Dula (2:26:56 PB in 2011) are expected to set the road race a memorable one.
