Berlin champion Kiplagat eyes Delhi Half marathon after win at home

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-11-25 8:30:34

Berlin Marathon champion Florence Kiplagat passed another test in her build up for next month's Delhi Half Marathon, the "world's richest half marathon" with a $210,000 winning prize.

Kiplagat easily won the Tusky's Wareng Cross Country race in Eldoret on Sunday.

"I came here to test my speed and see how fast I can run against real opposition. It was, however, too easy because the pace was very slow," she said.

Kiplagat, had earlier this month won the Great North Run in Portsmouth in England early this month. She beat fellow marathoner Hella Kiprop and Lucy Kabuu to clinch the race title.

"I enjoy running cross-country. But my pace was a bit slow here because of wind since the course is open. But it has given me morale as I prepare for New Delhi half marathon," she said.

Kiplagat has every reason to prepare well for the race in India. A win in a course record will see her bank an additional US dollars 25,000 alongside the US dollars 210,000 on offer. Kenya's Mary Keitany holds the Delhi Half marathon record at 1:06:54 set in 2009.

With no fixed racing plans beyond the Delhi Half Marathon on December 15, Kiplagat ran in Eldoret just to keep her body in race sharp as she considers her options.

"Though the opponents were not strong, the wind was because the course is bare. However, all in all I'm very happy because it showed I've maintained my good shape after Berlin and Portsmouth races," she explained. "After the Delhi race on December 15, I will think towards a Marathon in the spring."

There is also the possibility of representing Kenya at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen in March, although that, like her choice of Marathon, will depend on the decisions of others, which are selectors at the Athletics Kenya secretariat in Nairobi.

"It depends on Athletics Kenya. If they select me, I will run. If they don't, I will prepare myself for any Marathon that calls me in April. For now, I don't know. If they will give me the chance. I missed the trip to Moscow World Championships and the London Olympic games despite putting in a request for consideration," she said.

"I have won the World Half before, in Nanjing, China, I will try to win it again. I want to make history in my life by winning as much as I can. If I win two or three times, then I'll be very happy," she said.

Kiplagat claimed victory in Eldoret after completing the 8km race in 26:34.5 ahead of Hella Kiprop (26:38.9) and Lucy Kabuu (26:47.2). Kabuu is preparing for the Tokyo marathon in January.

Venice Marathon Champion Mercy (27:05.9) was fourth with Sally Kaptich (27:08.1) taking fifth place ahead of Irine Birgen (27:14.9).

In the men's race, greenhorn Isaac Korir won while Frankline Ng' elei won the 8km junior men with Agnes Cheruto taking the junior women 6km.

Posted in: Miscellany

blog comments powered by Disqus