New York City marathon champion Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor has set his focus to defend his title at 2018 IAAF World Half marathon title set for Valencia in Spain.
The double IAAF World Half marathon champion won the 2017 TSC New York marathon on Sunday beating former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang and winning the title he lost to Stanley Biwott in 2015.
Mentored and motivated by Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Kamworor said he did not want to disappoint him since they train together at Global Sports Communication (GSC) in Kaptagat.
“My wish came true when I won the race,” said Kamworor.
The 24 year old IAAF World Cross Country champion won the race in 2:10.53 ahead of Kipsang’s 2:10.56 and Lelisa Desisa’s (Ethiopia) 2:11.32.
“I prepared well for the victory and God guided me to the title. I wanted to finish in top three and this is a special race for me,” added the 2011 world junior cross country champion.
As he targets a hat trick in both world cross country and world half marathon, Kamworor’s New York win was the second one this year following his dismal performance at world championships in London.
His first victory came at this year’s world cross country championships in Uganda, defending his 2015 title in Guiyang, China.