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Kenya's Keitany eyes marathon world record in London

Xinhua, April 19, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya's Mary Keitany, the second fastest woman of all time, said here on Wednesday that a new marathon world record could be on the cards at the 2017 London Marathon to be held on Sunday.

"I've trained enough," Keitany said. "I'm ready to race on Sunday."

The 35-year-old said the women only marathon world record of 2:17:42, set by Paula Radcliffe at the 2005 London Marathon, is within her sights as her fellow Kenyans Florence Kiplagat and Vivian Cheruyiot work together with her at this year's race.

"If the weather is fine for us, and we cooperate, I think we will run a great time," said Keitany. "Cooperation means working with the pacemakers, and if we make sure that one person doesn' t go it alone, we will run well."

Kiplagat, who has finished second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth on her five previous appearances, has set her sight on the title.

"I'm not happy with my finish positions here in London. I want to win here."

Kiplagat had an excellent end to 2016, winning the Chicago Marathon in October, and has been running 200km a week in training to prepare for her sixth London Marathon.

Other medal contenders are three medallists from last year's race, three previous London champions and the winners of last year's World Marathon Majors races in Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. Endit