Olympic champion Tiki Gelana to run in the TCS Amsterdam Marathon

On Sunday 18 October, Olympic marathon champion Tiki Gelana will run in the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. In 2012, she won a gold medal in London at this magical distance. Gelana will be competing with runners such as the winner of the Dam tot Damloop, Joyce Chepkirui. Competitors also include Flomena Cheyech and Meseret Legese.

Tiki Gelana became Olympic marathon champion in 2012. Over the last few kilometres she left her competitors in her wake. The 27-year-old Ethiopian's personal record is 2 hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds and she already won the TCS Amsterdam marathon in 2011. She also triumphed at the Marugame half marathon in 2012 and the Rotterdam Marathon 2012. This year she came third in the Tokyo Marathon.

Last month, Joyce Chepkirui was victorious at the Dam tot Damloop. The 27-year-old Kenyan has extremely fast 10 km (30.37) and half marathon (1.06.18) times. Chepkirui made her debut at the London marathon last year. She started the race with great promise by keeping up with the leading group but after 23 km suffered from cramp in her hamstring. After a painful second half, she was able to reach the finish in 2.35.54.

Chepkirui is positive about her preparations. "This is the first time I will be running the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. I'm in good shape now and expect to run a personal record. A time under 2.25 is possible, perhaps even 2.21", reveals the ambitious athlete.

Flomena Cheyech has progressed nicely in the marathon over the past two years. The Kenyan athlete improved her personal record from 2.25.13 to 2.22.44. The 33-year-old athlete has already won five marathons, including the Turijn Marathon, Vienna City Marathon and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Meseret Legese is the fourth athlete that will compete for victory in the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. Legese finished second in the Hengshui Lake Marathon in 2013. This is the first time the Ethiopian is running the TCS Amsterdam Marathon and she will be the underdog.

TCS Amsterdam Marathon will take place on Sunday 18 October. The programme also includes the Mizuno Half Marathon, the TCS 8 km and the children's race in addition to the TCS Amsterdam Marathon.

All distances will finish in the Olympic Stadium.

Click for more information: www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl.

Cees Pronk
Race Director TCS Amsterdam Marathon