Second time lucky in London for Edna Kiplagat?

IN LONDON

Will it be Edna Kiplagat’s second time lucky in London or a coveted hat-trick of world marathon titles?

Well, pundits believe the two-time world marathon champion could have her swansong with victory on the streets on London on Sunday afternoon as she leads a strong Kenyan charge.

When she ran here at the 2012 Olympic Games, Kiplagat was then affected by the elements, the heavy downpour affecting her pre-race warm-up..

This time round, the Iten-based athlete is looking forward to a good race on Sunday on the streets of the English capital.

Kiplagat has rich experience in the World Championships, winning twice in 2011 (Daegu) and 2013 (Moscow).

She says that she is well prepared and looking forward to a good race if the weather conditions allow on Sunday.

And with no forecast for rains, as was in 2012, it could well be her hat-trick moment.

“I did my preparations well in terms of training and I’m looking forward to a good race if the weather conditions allow us,” said Kiplagat.

The athlete says that in 2012 during the Olympics Games, the weather was not good and her performance was affected by the heavy downpour.

“In 2012 I was here and when the race was about to start, it rained heavily and that affected my running since I’m not good when running in a cold weather. I have seen from the meteorology report that it will somehow be sunny and I hope it will help us in our race,” said Kiplagat.

Other athletes, who will be joining her in the race, will be the world silver medalist Hela Kiprop and the Commonwealth champion Flomena Cheyech.

Kiprop said her training with the team in Naiberi, Uasin Gishu County, was a good thing since they were able to share experiences from one another despite the rains that could sometime interfere with their programme.

“Going to one camp is always a good thing which helped us a lot finalize our training. There were lots of rains which could interfere with our training but I must say we are good to go come Sunday,” said Kiprop.

The men’s team consists of London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru, Boston Marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui and the 2016 Mumbai Marathon champion Gideon Kipketer.

The three athletes have little experience in the championships, but that does not deter them from giving their best to fly high the country’s flag.

Kirui, who changed base from Keringet in Nakuru County to Naiberi, said that they will give their best as a team since they are eyeing to sweep all the medals.

“We are looking forward to a good performance and we want to do well and sweep all the medals if it will be possible.

“Training in Uasin Gishu helped me a lot since we were able to share with my colleagues on a few things for the race,” said Kirui.

Wanjiru will be in London for the second time after winning the blue riband Virgin Marathon in April and he says he is focused to a good run.

“All of us will be running for a purpose of winning but the best will of course outdo the others. My training was good and the only thing that’s remaining is to apply what we got during our preparations and run as a team,” said Wanjiru.