Saina all set for marathon debut in Tokyo
US-based athlete Betsy Saina during a past training session. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- Accomplished track runner Betsy Saina will make he marathon debut on Sunday in Tokyo.
- Saina, who has ran in all other races from 3,000m to half marathon, where she has a personal best time of 1:09:27 set in October 2014, was upbeat about performing well at the Tokyo Marathon.
Accomplished track runner Betsy Saina will make he marathon debut on Sunday in Tokyo.
Saina, who has ran in all other races from 3,000m to half marathon, where she has a personal best time of 1:09:27 set in October 2014, was upbeat about performing well at the Tokyo Marathon.
“This will be my first competitive marathon and I have done enough training and feel I am in the very best of condition. All that is remaining is to run well,” said Saina on phone from Tokyo.
She said she decided to taste the marathon race after being influenced by other marathoners like former two times World Champion Edna Kiplagat, three times New York marathon champion Mary Keitany and Olympics champion Jemima Sumgong.
Saina however added that even if she returns a great performance in Tokyo her main focus this year was running on track at the World Championships due in London in August.
“After this race I will have more time to prepare for the World Championships in August since I want to represent my country in the 10,000m race. I didn’t perform well in 2015 but this year I need a medal,” said Saina who is coached by Jerry Shumacher.
