Kiprop aims to go one better in London contest

Marathoner Helah Kiprop training in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County,on June 29, 2017. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

What you need to know:

  • Reigning Paris Marathon champion Purity Rionoripo and 2013 Amsterdam Marathon winner Valentine Kipketer are reserves.

With the attention drawn towards this month’s IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya’s marathon team to next month’s senior global competition in London are not being distracted.

The athletes have already gelled in camp at Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County, and trained their sights on the individual and team titles at the IAAF World Championships that will run from August 4 to 13 in the English capital.

Helah Kiprop, who settled for silver after losing out to Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba in a sprint finish to settle for silver at the 5015 championships in Beijing, is taking no chances this time and remains confident of elevating herself to the gold position.

The 2016 Tokyo Marathon champion (personal best time: 2:21:27) started early preparations and is happy with the progress so far under coach Sammy Bii.

“My training has been going on well and being back to the Naiberi camp gives me morale to do well. We are eyeing a podium finish in the championships,” said Kiprop, who hails from Iten in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

FAVOURABLE CLIMATE

It will be her third time in the Kenyan marathon colours after representing the country in 2015 World Championships and the Rio Olympics Games last year where she failed to finish. She said that the weather in Naiberi Camp is favourable and good for her training and she believes it will bring good results in the end.

“I love training in this place since it has favourable conditions but we are always trying to balance since it will be hot in London,” said Kiprop.

Also in the team is Commonwealth Games champion Flomena Cheyech and two-time World Champion and Boston Marathon winner this year Edna Kiplagat.

Reigning Paris Marathon champion Purity Rionoripo and 2013 Amsterdam Marathon winner Valentine Kipketer are reserves.

The men’s team has London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru, Boston Marathon winner Geoffrey Kirui and 2106 Mumbai Marathon champion Gideon Kipketer while Paris Marathon winner Paul Lonyangata is a reserve.

Inspired by her Tokyo Marathon win last year, Kiprop is confident she will maintain her tempo until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I’m still young and I want to run well so that I can also be in the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo since I have been there and won last year,” added the athlete, who started her career after lacking fees to proceed with her education.

Kenya emerged first in Athletics in 2015 Beijing after bagging a total of 16 medals ahead of Jamaica who had 12 medals and they will be seeking to defend the title after selecting a vibrant team this year.