Kenya's Mutai seeks fast time as Kibet hunts for gold at Hamburg marathon

NAIROBI, April 28 (Xinhua) -- World fourth fastest marathon runner Emmanuel Mutai has blamed stomach problems for his lack of form in recent seasons.

However, the Kenyan, 35, is targeting a top-three finish in the Hamburg marathon on Sunday.

"In recent years my performance was not so good. I had some problems with my stomach, but it is okay now. I want to improve my performance on Sunday," Mutai told Xinhua on Saturday.

Mutai, who ran 2:03:13 in the Berlin marathon in 2014, when Dennis Kimetto set the current world record of 2:02:57, will not only be running against the clock but with some of the fastest and top runners in the 42km distance.

Leading the challenge is former world and Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda and Kenya's Sammy Kitwara.

"All of us want to win, me too. But if I can't do it then the goal is to finish in top three. If weather conditions are good the course record is possible for one of us," said Mutai.

Organizers hope that the lead pack of elite runners will run split times leading to a two-hour-and-five-minute time and finish within Eliud Kipchoge's course record of 2:05:30, which he set in his debut back in 2013.

"That course record is fast and needs a lot of planning. Though there are athletes with faster personal best, it will be a challenge to them. However, I wish my training mate Kiprotich the best of luck," said Kipchoge in Eldoret.

Kipchoge has just returned to his training base in Kaptagat after winning the London marathon last Sunday.

Sweden's Isabellah Anderson, who is making her comeback from maternity leave, is the fastest entrant in the elite women's field for the Hamburg marathon with a 2:23:41 personal best time.

But that will count for nothing as she comes up against Kenya's former world and Olympic silver medallist in 5,000m race, Sylvia Kibet (2:26:16) and Bahrain's Shitaye Eshete (2:25:36).

Though Kibet has failed to replicate the glory she achieved in cross country and track competition, but believes Hamburg will be her race.

"I have done well in training and do hope to win the Hamburg marathon. There are no injury concerns affecting me and with right skills, I see victory beckoning," said Kibet. Enditem