BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom (July 29) — Helalia Johannes is primed and ready to win the women’s marathon at the Commonwealth Games 2022 this weekend. She is even confident about breaking the Games’ record of 2:25:28, set by Australia’s Lisa Martin in Auckland, New Zealand 32-years-ago. Read more: How to watch the Commonwealth Games 2022 Opening Ceremony?
Johannes won the marathon at the last edition in 2018 and she believes she is in good shape to repeat her gold medal performance from Gold Coast 2018 with a record-breaking run. Read more: Commonwealth Games 2022 women’s marathon entry list; Helaria Johannes returns to defend title
How to Watch the marathon live?
You can watch live streaming coverage of the races on BBC TV, along with coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Sport website, and BBC Sport mobile app. Watch in the United Kingdom BBC Red Button | For those in Canada watch on: CBC Sports and on DAZN | For those in Australia watch on: 7 Plus
“In Australia [at Gold Coast 2018] the conditions were too hot for fast times and we ran a slow first half of the race, but I think the weather will be better this time,” said Johannes, who ran 2:32:40 to win in Australia four-years-ago and became Namibia’s first women’s athletics gold medalist in the marathon.
“It (the record) could be (under threat). There are some good runners, from Kenya and other countries, and I’ve been told it is a nice course and you can run fast.”
The 41-year-old hasn’t run a marathon since finishing fifth in the TCS New York City Marathon last November, but she believes her 10km and Half Marathon races on the road this season have prepared her well for Birmingham.
“I haven’t run a marathon since last November, but I have had a lot of nice races over shorter distances and a good half-marathon last month [when she beat her own national record in South Africa]. I am in good shape,” the Olympian who finished 11th at the Tokyo Games in 2021 added.
Johannes is expected to face strong competition from Maurine Chepkemoi and Stellah Barsosio of Kenya in the race on Saturday (30).
The women’s and men’s marathon races will kick-start the athletics program at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Saturday morning.
| Bib | Name | PB | SB | |
| 1052 | CGA code AUS | Sinead DIVER | 2:24:11 | |
| 1103 | CGA code AUS | Jessica STENSON | 2:25:15 | |
| 1108 | CGA code AUS | Eloise WELLINGS | 2:25:10 | 2:25:10 |
| 1747 | CGA code ENG | Georgina SCHWIENING | 2:31:37 | 2:31:37 |
| 2204 | CGA code IOM | Sarah WEBSTER | 2:44:44 | |
| 2537 | CGA code KEN | Margaret Wangari MURIUKI | 2:30:25 | |
| 2766 | CGA code LES | Mokulubete MAKATISI | 2:44:47 | |
| 2877 | CGA code MRI | Katie MAUTHOOR | 2:47:25 | 2:47:25 |
| 2911 | CGA code NAM | Alina ARMAS | 2:33:09 | |
| 2917 | CGA code NAM | Helalia JOHANNES | 2:19:52 | |
| 3454 | CGA code SOL | Sharon FIRISUA | 3:02:10 | |
| 3529 | CGA code TAN | Failuna MATANGA | 2:27:55 | |
| 3530 | CGA code TAN | Jackline SAKILU | 2:37:55 | |
| 3626 | CGA code UGA | Linet Toroitich CHEBET | 2:26:22 | 2:26:22 |
| 3701 | CGA code WAL | Natasha COCKRAM | 2:30:03 | |
| 3705 | CGA code WAL | Clara EVANS | 2:31:21 |
Photo: CDE Photos
