Emily Kipchumba Chebet and Mercy Kipchumba are keen to win their second Eldoret City Marathon titles set for October 1st in Eldoret.
The defending champion Chebet said that she wants to make two out of two victories in the race that attracts a lucrative pay of kshs 3.5 million.
Chebet, who finished third at the Milan marathon earlier this year said that she will be chasing to retain her title.
Speaking in Eldoret during the media launch on Friday afternoon, Chebet said that the race gave her a good platform that she has been using to compete at the international marathons across the world.
“I thank God for helping me win last year and I am praying that he guides me to retain my title next month. Last year’s race was good enough after successfully running and winning therefore, I expect good results this year,” said Chebet.
“After winning the race I went and competed at Milan marathon and Argentina recording good results in marathon. For now I am really concentrating and I am preparing well for this marathon,” she said.
Kipchumba on the other hand is doubtful for the race but if she gets the chances to reclaim her title, she will do it.
“I started training this year and I don’t know if my coach will allow me to come and reclaim my title but I have hope that come next month, I will be fit to compete again,” said Kipchumba.
Race director Moses Tanui said that he wants to race to outlive him after months of tussling to get sponsors.
He assured athletes that they have secured prize money and ready.
“I started with race with a purpose and I want it to outlive me and all those people right now. I won Boston marathon when it was 100 years old. Therefore we have to make sure we leave this race alive,” he said.