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Kenyan marathoners to test run in New York ahead of Beijing worlds

Xinhua, May 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

They are expected to lead Kenya's charge at the World Marathon Championships in Beijing in August, but the trio will have a test run, albeit over a 10km distance, in New York on June 13 to gauge their fitness.

New York Marathon champion Mary Keitany, Boston winner Caroline Rotich, and double World marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, all from Kenya, will lead a distinguished field of professional women representing 10 countries at the 2015 Oakley New York Mini 10K on June 13.

Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners, said the trio has all confirmed participation. It will be their final event before focusing on training for the World Championships in Beijing.

"We are excited to welcome such an elite field," said Ciaccia in a statement received in Nairobi Friday. "This race has always been a celebration of the power of women in sport, and this year's edition might be our best ever."

Keitany, who is seeking her first world title, was fourth at the London Olympics and wants to improve to gold in Beijing.

"It will be team work and I'm ready if selected to run in Beijing. It is the biggest event for me," said the 33-year-old, who won the defending champion of the New York City Marathon with a time of 2:25:07.

"I'm very happy to run again in New York, the place where I made my comeback marathon after maternity and was one of the best days of my career," she said. "I know that my competitors will be the top 10K runners in the world, but I hope to be able to make my race for the win again."

Rotich, 31, who lives and trains in Santa Fe, USA, is the reigning Boston Marathon champion. In addition to her 2015 Boston Marathon win, the 2013 Prague Marathon champion has had three other top-five finishes in World Marathon Majors races.

"I am very excited to return to New York City," said Rotich. "I have always enjoyed racing there and love the energy of the city. I look forward to joining all the other women at the Oakley New York Mini 10K next month."

Kiplagat, 35, is a two-time IAAF World Marathon Championships gold medalist (2011, 2013), and the only woman in history to successfully defend her title at that event. She wants a third shot at the title in Beijing.

"The New York Mini 10K is one of my favorite races, and I've always had good results there," said Kiplagat. "It is one of the few times every year that we have the opportunity to run in a women's-only race." Enditem