The duo have recently enjoyed impressive performances in the 42 km distance.
To begin with, Kissa became the first Ugandan to run a 42km race under two hours and five minutes when he posted 2:04:48, a national record he set at the Hamburg Marathon in April last year. He picked a silver medal at the event.
Kiplangat also became the first Ugandan to win gold at the Commonwealth Games Marathon in London last year, posting a brilliant finish of 2:10:54 ahead of Alphonse Simbu of Tanzania, Kenya duo Micheal Githae and Korir.
Andrew Rotich Kwemoi will join the duo to complete the Ugandan men’s marathon team.
Top contenders include Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, defending champion from Oregon, Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat, standing third on the world list with the 2:03:50 and Joshua Belet, runner-up at the Hamburg Marathon in April in 2:04:33.
Ethiopian stars Milkesa Mengesha, the 2019 world U20 cross-country champion, Chalu Deso Leul Gebresilasie and Tsegaye Getachew.
Others include Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, runner-up to Eliud Kipchoge in the 2021 Olympic marathon in Sapporo and two-time bronze medallist in New York last November and in Rotterdam in April.
Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu, world bronze medallist in London in 2017 and Commonwealth silver in Birmingham last year, is also a podium contender.
