Ebenyo happy to be back in India, set for 25 kilometre debut

Two-time world championship silver medallist Kenyan Daniel Simiyu Ebenyo says he is happy to be back in India as the world’s leading International athletes
are gearing up to set the course on fire at the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K 2023 on Sunday.

The 27 year old will be making his debut over the distance but hopes to win for the second time in his second race in the country after winning the Vedanta
Delhi Half Marathon in October.

‘I am thankful for inviting me here. It was a wonderful race in Delhi. It is good to be back in India and I am looking forward to the race. Generally I come
from a place in Kenya where running is not popular.

‘I, with the grace of God, have trained hard to be where I am today. I pushed myself to school and build up myself. I hope to do well on Sunday,’ said
Ebenyo in a press statement by race organisers, Procam International and made available to Sportsnow.

Also set to make her debut over the 25 kilometres road race is Ethiopia’s 10K world record-holder, Yalemzerf Yehualaw.

‘I am ready to give my best in the race and come out as victorious. My preparations have been good and I am raring to go. My main target will be to
participate at the Paris Olympics and doing well in it will be a great achievement for me,’ Yehualaw.

Yehualaw sits second on the world all-time list at the half marathon with a time of 1:03:51 set in 2021, said.

Yehualaw tasted her first victory in a World Marathon Major at the 2022 London Marathon, becoming the youngest-ever female winner of the event.
Uganda’s Mercyline Chelangat and Kenya’s Betty Chepkemoi Kibet will be the main challengers for Yehualaw in the women’s field.