World record holder Kimetto ready for Vienna Marathone

NAIROBI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan world marathon record holder Dennis Kimettohas had several setbacks in his rehabilitation, but after four years of nagging injuries he hopes to make a fresh start in the Vienna Marathon in April.

The Kenyan has had a torrid time since his win in Berlin in 2014 where he clocked a world record time of 2:02.57 to become the first man to run under two hours and three minutes.

He made several comebacks, but could not finish most of the marathons he started in the last three years.

But after six months of training Kimetto believes his worst years are behind him and he remains focused on completing his recovery and competing strongly in the Austrian capital.

"I look forward to running again in the Vienna Marathon. My training is going great," he announced on Tuesday in Eldoret.

However, the 34-year-old will face a stiff challenge in Vienna after organizers announced that Ethiopian, Dino Sefer will be competing as well.

Several runners with personal bests of less than two hours and 10 minutes, will line up including Abrha Milaw, Samwel Maswai, Dominc Ruto and Birhanu Addisie.

Kimetto has not won a marathon since 2015 and has opted to miss both London and Boston marathons to test his body's reaction to extreme competition in Vienna.

In the last three years, Kimetto has only succeeded in finishing two marathons, both in London.

"It is always hard to get up and return to action after months of hard work ends with another injury," he said. "However, I was able to train without injuries for a good period, which has raised my hopes and conviction that I will do well in Vienna."

Kimetto's last race was in Chicago in 2016, where he did not finish. He has tried several half marathon races without big success, but that has not dampened his spirits as he seeks to take his career off the rocks in 2018.

Kimetto entered the spotlight when he won the Nairobi marathon and went on to secure the Ras Al Khaimah half marathon in the United Arab Emirates.

"Dennis wants to show something in Vienna. I hope that the final part of his preparations will also go well. He is an athlete of extraordinary quality. After he ran his world record in Berlin, physical problems started. I think the race in Berlin took a lot out of his body," said Kimetto's manager Gerard van de Veen. Enditem