The 2019 African 5,000m champion Lilian Kasait is set to make her debut over the full Marathon this Sunday in Daegu.
Kasait will be stepping into uncharted territory but she has already tested out her legs over the half marathon.
She made her half marathon debut in Valencia 2024, where she secured a podium finish clocking 1:03:32.
In that race, she trailled compatriot Agnes Ng’etich (1:03:04) and Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay (1:03:21).
However, it was during the 2025 season that Kasait truly tested her legs over 21km, featuring in three half marathon races.
Her first race was in Prague, where she claimed her first ever victory over 21km, clocking 1:05:27 to outkick compatriot Veronica Loleo (1:06:40) and Ethiopia’s Sentayehu Lewetegn(1:08:41).
Kasait extended her smooth run to the Delhi Half Marathon, claiming victory yet again in 1:07:20, this time finishing ahead of Ethiopians Melal Siyoum (1:07:21) and Mulat Tekle (1:07:29).
However, she rounded off her year with a dissapointing fifth place finish at the Condor Antrim Half Marathon, clocking 1:07:36.
Ethiopia’s Mizat Alem (1:05:38), Loice Chemnung (1:06:06) and Senayet Getachew (1:06:33) claimed the podium.
She further holds a rich resume over the 10km road race which includes third place finishes in Hong Kong (31:12) and Valencia (29:32) as well as victory in Bengaluru (30:56).
Kasait is set to face a formidable challenge from the defending champion Meseret Belete of Ethiopia.
During last year’s showdown, the Ethiopian sliced through the tape in 2:24:08 to lead Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet (2:25:43) and compatriot Tigist Girma (2:26:45).
Adding more depth to the field is the 2025 Berlin marathon second place finisher Dera Dida of Ethiopia.
A prize purse of Sh25.8 million ($200,000) awaits the winners.