Meseret Defar is Finally Making Her Marathon Debut, Will Face Linet Masai

By Adam Kopet

Meseret Defar had planned to run her marathon debut at the 2018 Tokyo Marathon in February. She did not make it to the starting line. Now, the Ethiopian is planning to make her debut at next month's Amsterdam Marathon, according to Xinhua.

The two-time Olympic champion over 5,000 meters has earned a total of eight Olympic and IAAF World Outdoor Championship medals, including two world titles. She has also secured seven IAAF World Indoor Championship medals at 3,000 meters, earning four golds.

Also making her marathon debut in Amsterdam is Kenya's Linet Masai. She captured bronze medals in the 10,000 meters at the 2008 Olympics and the 2011 IAAF World Outdoor Championships. Masai is also a four-time podium finisher at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

However, Masai has not raced in over two years as she has taken time away to have a child, something Defar has also done. Masai's last race was the2016  Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m, where she finished second in 32:04.48.

Both Defar and Masai have had success over the half marathon distance. Defar holds the edge, having run 1:06:09 on a non-record eligible course. Masai has run 1:09:33.