Kimetto racing in Honolulu Marathon; Cheserek in the Mile

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Dennis Kimetto is the headliner at this Saturday's Honolulu Marathon, a race that has attracted an elite group of Kenyan stars. 

Kimetto broke the world record in the marathon in Berlin in 2014 when he ran 2 hours, 2 minutes, 57 seconds. Despite Eliud Kipchoge's faster time trial over the 26.2-mile distance, Kimetto is still regarded as the world record holder. 

Kenyan Lawrence Cherono became the first man to dip under 2:10 in Honolulu, with its typically warm conditions, last year. He ran 2:09:38. Cherono is also back to defend his title.

Bridgid Kosgei, the 2016 women's champion, is also back. She will face 2014 and 2015 champ Joyce Chepkirui. 

Former U.S. Olympian Nick Symmonds is also going to make his marathon debut Saturday in Hawaii, taking a giant leap up in distance. Symmonds owned the 800 meters in the U.S. for most of a decade. 

The Kalakaua Merrie Mile, which starts Saturday morning at Waikiki, also has a star-studded field that includes 17-time NCAA champion Edward Cheserek, Olympic silver medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand and Will Leer.

The women's mile field includes Canadian Olympian Nicole Sifuentes and Jamaican steeplechaser Aisha Praught-Leer.