Former Africa 3,000m junior silver medalist Gladys Chesir is optimistic of winning her maiden marathon title when she lines up at the NN Mission Marathon in Enschede on Sunday.
The former Commonwealth Youth Games 3,000m champion has high hopes to achieve high results in a race that was rescheduled for 11th April to 18th April 2021, moved from Hamburg Germany to Enschede in the Netherlands.
With her last race in 2019, Chesir, said: “The reschedule programme will not affect my training because as an athlete I have to be ready for any eventuality. The race has not been cancelled but rescheduled meaning, as athletes, we have great time to add experience.”
She will be making her third career marathon after making her debut at the 2016 Amsterdam marathon where she finished second and failed to complete the 2018 Boston marathon due to cold weather that affected many athletes.
“My preparations have been good throughout despite the biting coronavirus that has disturbed the sporting world. I will be returning into action after three years and my last race was in Boston where I dropped off due to bad weather. With this long time, I hope I will come out with great results,” added Chesir.
Enjoying her half marathon personal best at 66.50 set during the 2016 Ras Al Khaimah marathon where she finished in 4th position, Chesir won the Commonwealth Youth Games title in 2010 before the Africa Youth silver medal the same year.
After joining the senior ranks, she competed for the country at the 2016 World Half marathon in Cardiff where she finished 6th overall.
“I have competed in so many half marathons and that is where I have earned a lot. But I want to make a good name in the marathon this time because I have matured for the races,” added Chesir.
Chesir will be facing off with Ethiopia’s Haven Hailu at the marathon among other top marathons from across the world in the invitees only race.