Kenyan Kenneth Mungara and Japanese Yuki Kawauchi to clash again in Gold Coast Marathon

Ageless Kenyan distance runner Kenneth Mungara will go for a hat-trick of Gold Coast Airport Marathon titles later this year.

Gold Coast Marathon champions Kenneth Mungara of Kenya. Photo: Glenn Hampson

AGELESS Kenyan Kenneth Mungara will go for a hat-trick of Gold Coast Airport Marathon titles this year.

And he will be joined by Japanese runner Yuki Kawauchi, the man he beat by a mere tenth of a second in the closest finish in the event’s 38th staging last year.

Organisers of the marathon confirmed both endurance athletes have agreed to return to the streets of the Gold Coast in what is a coup for the event.

The marathon is still three months away but the rematch between last year’s stars is already attracting a great deal of interest.

The Gold Coast event is part of the IAAF Gold Label Road Race series and will be run on Sunday, July 2.

Marathon chief Cameron Hart said a rematch between Mungara and Kawauchi would be a significant drawcard.

“Last year’s dramatic finish was one of the most memorable in the event’s history and I’m thrilled to welcome both men back,” Hart said.

“These two great runners, along with the rest of the elite field which will be finalised shortly, will put the race record under threat and vindicate our reputation as Australia’s fastest marathon.

“Our ability to attract first-class international runners is a testament to the standard of our event and our flat, fast course located in one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations.”

If Mungara, 43, wins in July it will be the first hat-trick by a male in the event and equal the feat of local women’s star Margaret Reddan from 1984-1986.

Mungara’s time of 2:08.42 in 2015 is the fastest on Australian roads.