The 24th Marathon and Semi-Marathon de Reims scheduled for Sunday is the most important French marathon in the fall, and race organizers have put together a sizable prize money purse which rewards fast times.
The male and female winners of the marathon will receive 20,000 Euros (USD 27,000) provided they run under 2:12:00 and 2:27:00, respectively. Prize money is reduced to 10,000 Euros (USD 13,500) for slower times. Awards go 15-deep for both men and women.
Fast times are certainly possible in Reims. David Kemboi Kiyeng (b. 1983) set a new course record last year in 2:09:08, and and the first four finishers broke 2:12:00. The women's course record is an old one: 2:27:38 by Russian Alla Zhilyayeva in 1995.
Kiyeng will be on the starting line to defend his title, according to elite athletes coordinator, René Auguin. He's also recruited last year's second palce finisher, David Kemboi (2:08:24 PB), and Patrick Tambwe (2:08:55 PB). In all, there are 20 men in the elite field plus three pacemakers. Rael Nguriatukei (2:33:27) is the top woman entered.
The winners of the accompanying half-marathon will receive 2500 Euros (USD 3375) provided the first man runs sub-1:06:00 and the first woman runs sub-1:18. Prize money in that race goes ten deep. Nicholas Manza Kamakya (1:01:21 PB) is the top entrant on the men's side while Cherono Gladys (1:10:43) and Louise Damen (1:10:47) are the class of the women's field.
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