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Kenya's Jepleting seeks victory at Venice Marathon

Xinhua, October 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former world 5,000m bronze medalist Priscah Jepleting of Kenya is the top name in the women field for the 31st Venice Marathon on Sunday.

Jepleting, 36, holds a personal best time of two hours and 29 minutes in marathon and hopes a fast course in the Austria capital will inspire her to set a fast time.

"I have been out with ankle injury but am now training well. I have big hopes for Venice marathon and hopefully, I will be able to lower my personal best time by over three minutes," she said.

Speaking in Nairobi on her way to Venice, Jepleting said she hopes to get a shot at the big city marathons in either Boston or London in April, where Kenya will be using the events to name its team to the 2017 London World Championships.

"It is every athlete's dream to compete for her country and though I have had my chance before, I still want to make a big impression on the global stage before I bow out," she added. "With a good run, I can be in the team for London 2017 and that is what inspires me. You cannot rule out anything."

Jepleting, was travelling with her male Kenyan colleagues, who are also eyeing the Venice title including reigning champion Julius Chepkwony and Titus Masai, who has a 59:41 half marathon personal best.

Masai is a younger brother to former World 10,000m champion Linet Masai. There will also be Ethiopian Adugna Bekele. In total 11,000 runners from 90 countries are expected. Endit