HOUSTON (AP) — Ethiopia’s Demessew Tsega wants to break his countryman’s record in Sunday’s Houston Marathon. And beat it by a wide margin.
The 23-year-old Tsega is among the favorites for the 40th edition of the city marathon. Ethiopia’s Bekana Daba won the 2011 version in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 4 seconds, a record by 33 seconds, and Tsega wants to beat Daba’s mark by a minute or more.
The marathon and half-marathon follow Saturday’s U.S. Olympic marathon trials. Meb Keflezighi won the men’s trial and Shalane Flanagan won the women’s race.
About 24,000 runners are scheduled to start the full and half marathons on Sunday. About 7,400 men and 5,600 women are entered in the full marathon.
