Kenya’s Lonyangata Keeps Eyes on Paris Prize
LONDON (AP) - Kenya’s Paul Lonyangata is targeting a glorious return to action at the postponed Paris Marathon in October.
Lonyangata, the reigning Shanghai Marathon champion, finished third in Paris last year to miss out on a hat-trick of victories in the French capital, having won the 2017 and 2018 editions.
This year’s race has been rescheduled from April 5 to Oct 18 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, with his training restricted back home, Longyangata is trying to prepare as best as possible for a road-racing resumption, with reigning in Paris again top of his agenda. First and foremost, though, Longyangata wants to see the world rid of COVID-19.
"The world today is different and we must adapt to what the health officials are telling us. I still do my training, though not as I would have wanted,” the 27-year-old said last week from West Pokot in Kenya.
Lonyangata, the reigning Shanghai Marathon champion, finished third in Paris last year to miss out on a hat-trick of victories in the French capital, having won the 2017 and 2018 editions.
This year’s race has been rescheduled from April 5 to Oct 18 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, with his training restricted back home, Longyangata is trying to prepare as best as possible for a road-racing resumption, with reigning in Paris again top of his agenda. First and foremost, though, Longyangata wants to see the world rid of COVID-19.
"The world today is different and we must adapt to what the health officials are telling us. I still do my training, though not as I would have wanted,” the 27-year-old said last week from West Pokot in Kenya.