Kenyan athletes are in high spirits ahead of the eighth edition of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon scheduled for Sunday in South Africa.

The 10 Kenyans were flagged off yesterday as they look forward to taking part in the World Athletics Gold Label event, the only one of its kind in Africa.

Former Pune Half Marathon champion Daniel Muindi Muteti says he has gained enough experience and therefore he is eyeing a top podium finish.

The former Warsaw Half Marathon champion is buoyed with his second place finish in the race in 2019 when he was only supposed to be doing pacesetting duties.

“I first took part in the Cape Town Marathon two years ago as a pace setter.

“But I opted to go all the way to the finish line when I realised all the athletes had dropped off, except one, at the 35km mark.

“I eventually finished second behind Edwin Koech who won the battle,”Muteti recalled.

Ahead of the race that has attracted 15,000 elite athletes and 23 international clubs, Muteti has upped his training for four months at the foot of Iveti Hills in Machakos County.

He did 40km runs on the chilly rugged terrains overlooking the Machakos Teachers College.

“I have done elaborate build-ups, attended endless gym sessions, hill climbing, long runs, speed work, sharpening and intervals.

“I feel my body is in great shape, I can see myself on the podium if not winning the race,” he added 

The 2018 Madoka Half Marathon winner has not taken part in any major races since Covid-19 pandemic broke out, a fact he says could be a blessing in disguise as he heads to Cape Town.

“I’m headed to South Africa with amazing energy, I’m not burnt out.I have not run any marathon since last year,” he said.

Muteti who has won the Coban Half Marathon (Guatemala) twice (2017 and 2018) has taken part in only two full marathons, the Mumbai Marathon and the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, both in 2019, finishing fourth and second respectively.

During this Sunday marathon, Muteti will pass through a spectacular route of the race including the famous natural icon of Cape Town Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, as well as many of the city’s great attractions from street art, to the Madiba Statue at the City Hall, to the hustle and bustle of Woodstock.