ROTTERDAM, April 20: Kenya, who have provided the winner of the Rotterdam marathon for the last two years, are ready to dominate Sunday’s race, urged on by the prospect of a bonus of 250,000 euros ($222,800) for any runner who can better the new world best time.

Moroccan-born American Khalid Khannouchi lowered his own world best by four seconds to 2 hours 5 minutes 38 seconds in winning the London marathon last Sunday.

But even on the fast Rotterdam course, it will still be a tall order despite the fact that Kenyan runners have dipped under 2 hrs 8 min on four occasions in the Dutch race.

Kenneth Cheruiyot won two years ago in 2:08.22 but broke the 2:08 barrier last year in 2:07.18. But that time was still only quick enough to earn him second place behind team mate Josephat Kiprono’s winning 2:06.50.

The other danger man is Kenyan Simon Biwott, who took the silver medal during the world championship in Edmonton, Canada, last year. Biwott, 32 last month, clocked his best Rotterdam time three years ago in running 2:07.41 to finish third.

The women’s race is likely to be dominated by three Japanese, led by Tameki Ominami, who has a best of 2:26.04.—Reuters