All Africa Games 10,000m silver medalist Gladys Kiptagelai Chesir has set her focus to finish on the podium at Sunday’s Kosice Marathon in Slovakia.
After finishing 4th at the Copenhagen marathon in April, the former Youth Olympic Games 3,000m champion said that she will be competing in her third marathon in her career with hopes of completing on the podium.
“I have been training and preparing for this race and my target is to finish on the podium come Sunday,” said Chesir.
Having her personal best of 2:24.51 in the 42km distance set during the 2017 Amsterdam marathon where she finished second, Chesir says that running the race for the first time will not pose any challenge to her.
“This is my first time competing at the race but that will not deter me from reaching my heights. I want to improve on time and finish,” she said.
The Iten based runner, who finished second at the Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville behind champion Alice Nawouna Aprot, fell while competing at the Eldoret City Marathon on April 10th in Eldoret but recovered on time to run at the Copenhagen when she finished 4th overall.
“I had a bad fall, failing to complete the race but right now I am fine ready for the competition. It has been a while to run in such a big race but am ready to challenge my competitors,” said Chesir.
The former Lille half marathon champion will be up against compatriots Margaret Agai, who enjoys a best time of 2:23.28 as well as Emily Chepkemoi who has 2:30.52.
Ethiopian Ayantu Kumela enjoys the best time on paper with 2:24.35 as compatriots Borne Cheluke (2:26.23), Ebsite Tilahun (2:29.52) and Tadelechi Nedi with 2:30.04)
In men, four Kenyans will be battling for the crown where Reuben Kerio (2:07.00), Leonard Langat (2:06.59), Albert Kangogo (2:07.48) and Daniel Kipchumba (2:08.55) will be yearning for the crown.
Others in the lineup are Aychew Bantie (2:06.23), Zawedu Hailu (2:06.31), Abraham Girma (2:06.48), Mehans Mekasha (2:10.43), Adane Gebre and Abiyot Abinet, who is making a debut