Daniel Mateiko at a previous race/ HANDOUT Organisers say this year’s edition has been specifically assembled for speed, headlined by a highly anticipated showdown between Mateiko and fellow Kenyan Isaia Lasoi.
Mateiko heads into the race chasing his second podium finish of the season after a steady start to his 2026 campaign. The 2024 Valencia Marathon bronze medallist opened his season on the indoor circuit with a third-place finish in the 5,000m at the Penn State National Open, clocking 14:46.71 behind Americans Rory Lieberman and Grant Kern.
He later switched to the roads at the Tokyo Marathon, narrowly missing the podium after finishing fourth in 2:03:44 in a race won by Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele. Lasoi also arrives in strong form after opening his season with a second-place finish at the Guadalajara Half Marathon, where he clocked 1:03:38 behind Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida.
Kenya’s depth will further be boosted by Edward Cheserek, who is seeking his first podium finish of the year after placing sixth at the Paris Half Marathon in 1:01:49. Also expected to challenge strongly is Nicholas Kitundu, who heads to Antrim in impressive form after winning the Seoul Marathon in 2:05:32 ahead of Morocco’s Aziz Ait and Bahrain’s Shumi Dechasa.
In the women’s race, Mercy Chepwogen will lead Kenya’s challenge after an encouraging start to her season. The 29-year-old finished third at the Paris Half Marathon in 1:06:32 behind Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray and Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat.
Chepwogen, however, faces a stern test from Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw, who comes into the race fresh from a fourth-place finish at the London Marathon after clocking 2:19:13.
