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Kiplagat eyes new record in Barcelona Half Marathon

Xinhua, February 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chicago Marathon champion Florence Kiplagat of Kenya will try to break her own World Half marathon record when she competes on Sunday in Barcelona.

Kiplagat shattered the world record in Barcelona two years ago when she ran 65:12 before lowering that mark to 65:09 on the same course last year.

Kiplagat said one of her career goals is to break the 65-minute mark for the distance.

"I want to gauge my preparedness before the London marathon in April. The target is to be in right form to win a slot in the Kenya team to the Rio Olympics," said Kiplagat on Friday in Nairobi as she departed for Barcelona.

The 28-year-old Kenyan won the Chicago Marathon in October last year, her third big city marathon win following her 2011 and 2013 triumphs in Berlin.

"This time round, I will put in my best and hopefully be among the best three Kenyans if not winning London marathon. But that can wait, now the focus is on the Barcelona Half marathon where I have a big challenge to retain my title," she said.

The men's race is headlined by world marathon champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie from Eritrea on the road to the London Marathon.

"I come to Barcelona with the intention of winning and beating my own personal record," said Ghebreslassie, whose best time stands at 60:09. Endit