COURTESY OF HONOLULU MARATHON Mbarak Hussein (left): 1998: 2:14:53, 2001: 2:15:09, 2002: 2:12:29 / Jimmy Muindi (right): 1999: 2:16:45, 2000: 2:15:19, 2003: 2:12:59

Fast Friends

Pals Jimmy Muindi and
Mbarak Hussein have won
the last six marathons

FOUR is a huge number waving in front of Jimmy Muindi and Mbarak Hussein.

The two Kenyans have won three Honolulu Marathons each, and tomorrow's 32nd running is the big daddy.

2004 Honolulu Marathon » When: 5 a.m. tomorrow » Where: Start on Ala Moana, finish at Kapiolani Park » Distance: 26 miles, 385 yards » Information: 734-7200 or www.honolulumarathon.org » Mileage markers Ones to Watch With bib numbers and home country Men » 1, Jimmy Muindi, Kenya » 2, Mbarak Hussein, Kenya » 3, Eric Kimaiyo, Kenya » 4, David Matua, Kenya » 5, Matthew Sigei, Kenya » 6, Boniface Usisivu, Kenya » 7, Gudisa Shentema, Ethiopia » 8, Terefe Yae, Ethiopia » 9, Nicholus Muindi, Kenya Women » F1, Eri Hayakawa, Japan » F2, Lyubov Morgunova, Russia » F3, Alevtina Ivanova, Russia » F4, Mari Tanigawa, Japan » F5, Albina Ivanova, Russia » F6, Tatyana Petrova, Russia » F7, Olga Romanova, Russia

Will either of them reach victory No. 4, something nobody else has attained, or will another runner spoil the party?

Maybe it will go right down to the end between the two, just like in 2002, the last time Hussein won.

"That year, I remember making a big break, but I had stomach problems and had to slow down," said Muindi, who is the defending champion. "He (Hussein) thought I was finished, so he made a break, going very, very fast. When he passed, I told him, 'Just go.' But he didn't know I had a lot left and I tried to make a kick to the finish before him. After he won (by 4 seconds), he said, 'I thought you were done! Oh man, you are killing me.' "

Hussein also won in 2001 and 1998, while Muindi's other two titles came in 1999 and 2000.

"This is a really big race," Hussein said. "If it comes down to the two of us, it's going to be really exciting. The goal is to get that fourth victory and that may give us the extra motivation."

The two have enjoyed a longtime friendship and have trained together since 1995.

"When we're in competition, we assist each other very much," Muindi said. "He'll make a move and take over the pace. Then, I'll make a move and take over the pace. At the end, sometimes he beats me and sometimes I beat him. It's part of the game."

The game this time, though, is like the seventh meeting in the World Series.

Eric Kamaiyo, the Kenyan who won in 1996 and '97, is one of the main contenders, along with Ethiopia's Gudisa Shentema and Terefe Yae.

"I take all of the other top runners seriously," Hussein said. "They won't be laying back; they'll be fighting. As for my part, I think I've prepared enough and have what it takes to win."

COURTESY OF HONOLULU MARATHON Defending champion Jimmy Muindi also won the Honolulu Marathon in 1999 and 2000.

The 31-year-old Muindi also feels ready.

"It's my dream to win it four times and be the first person to do so," he said. "If I manage to get four, it's a big deal for me. I'll do my best to win it, god-willing. It's also my prayer to break the course record. If I achieve that, I'll be happy."

Ibrahim Hussein, the older brother of 39-year-old Mbarak, holds the course record of 2 hours, 11 minutes, 43 seconds.

Muindi ran his personal-best time of 2:08:24 at the 2002 Berlin Marathon. His best time in Honolulu was last year, when he ran 2:12:59, but that was 30 seconds slower than Hussein's winning time in '02.

Whichever man gets to four victories first, Hussein won't be disappointed.

"We've been friends for a long time," he said. "I've seen him win, I've seen him lose. I'm happy for him, he's happy for me, whoever wins.

"I've seen the list of runners and I wouldn't be surprised if someone else pops up and runs away with it."

Three other runners share the record of three marathon victories with Muindi and Hussein -- Duncan Macdonald of Hawaii in 1973, '76 and '80; Ibrahim Hussein in 1985, '86 and '87; and Benson Masya of Kenya in 1991, '92 and '94.

Muindi spends a lot of his energy helping younger runners from Kenya train.

"They really look up to Jimmy," said Zane Branson, Muindi's agent. "He's the guy who broke through and became the leader of the pack. They learn a lot of discipline from him."

Discipline is a big word in Muindi's vocabulary.

"I spend my money wisely, I assist my fellow runners, I have good balance in life and a lot of family support. When it's time to end my career, I want to be able to say I have no regrets and I've performed my best."