Former World Championships silver medalist Judith Korir is set to face off with defending champion Bizuager Aderra, as 2024 men's winner Dejene Debela returns at this year's Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon set for Sunday, 1 November.Download our MozzartSport App For More NewsThe Gold Label Road Race of World Athletics is the world’s only inter-continental marathon leading the runners from the Asian side over the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and into Europe before finishing in Istanbul’s old historic city centre next to the Blue Mosque.The women's field sets the stage for some fascinating battles for victory, as was the case again last year. Four women were still in contention on the last kilometre, with youngster Aderra taking the honours.Sebastian Sawe reveals the athlete he backs to break the women’s marathon world recordThere was double joy for the Ethiopian since she did indeed manage to run a personal best (PB) improving by over two minutes to 2:26:19. “This was the biggest win of my life,“ said Aderra, who says her next target will be a sub 2:20:00.However, her title defense will not come easy as stiff competition is expected from the woman who leads the current start list, the World silver medalist from the 2022 in Eugene, Korir. The Kenyan ran a superb PB of 2:18:20 in that race and and managed another sub 2:19 when she took fourth place in London later in the year in 2:18:43.This spring the 30 year-old was eighth in the Milan Marathon with 2:26:48.##NAJAVA_MECA_10000248##Meanwhile, Kasaneh Baze of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Veronica Maina, two athletes who ran PBs this year, are in contention. Baze took a strong third place in the Hamburg Marathon with 2:19:39 while Maina won the race in Wuhan, China, in 2:24:14.Maina has the advantage of knowing the Istanbul course since she was runner-up here in 2023. Back then she was still in contention for victory on that final uphill stretch.Elsewhere, it will be the third time in a row that Debela competes in this race. Featuring a PB of 2:05:46, the 31-year-old Ethiopian celebrated his biggest career win so far when he crossed the line first on The Blue Mosque Square in 2024.Sawe sets sight on another world record following return from injuryWhen the defending champion returned last year he was in a battle for victory with Rhonzas Kilimo until the final kilometre, but then had to settle for the runner-up position behind the Kenyan. This will be Debela’s first marathon race this year and he will be eager to regain his crown.Belaw Yihunle is another experienced marathon runner from Ethiopia. The 28-year-old clocked a fine 2:05:57 PB in Hamburg this spring. The two-time winner of the autumn marathon in Seoul (2023 and 2024), who regularly competes in Asia and especially in China, will be making his Istanbul debut.Shikangwa, Aquino return as Oduor names 43-player Harambee Starlets squad for Olympic qualifiers
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