NAIROBI, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Yangzhou Half Marathon silver medalist Joan Chelimo of Kenya believes her experience running in China will come handy as she makes her debut at the full marathon distance in Tokyo on March 3.
The 29-year-old had a successful season in 2018 competing in five half marathon races from China to Boston and believes she is now ready to challenge the ultimate distance in Japan, even as she eyes to break into Kenya team to the World Championships in Doha, Qatar this year.
"I have experience running in Asia having finished second in Yangzhou in China. It was a nice experience and I believe it will help me in my quest to win in Tokyo," said Chelimo on Thursday in Eldoret.
Despite her huge medal collection, the athlete feels she has to show her class in the full marathon distance in Tokyo, against a strong field of elite runners to know if she stands a chance to make Kenya team to the World Championships.
"There are several top names all keen to win in Tokyo and I am glad the focus will not be on me as the race starts. I hope this will work well for me and what is important now is to run a good race, feel the body and see what time I accomplish the task," said Chelimo.
Indeed, Chelimo will have her work cut out as she has to keep at bay former Chicago marathon champion Florence Kiplagat who is on a comeback trail after shaking off her injury. Also in the lineup is compatriots Ruth Chebitok.
"My training has been good. I have run a several local races to taste waters and I was able to do some fine tuning before the race," said Chelimo. The athlete admitted that her competitors are good and exceptional rivals.
"The lineup in Tokyo has very good athletes including but I believe in my training and my goal is to be on the podium," said the athlete, who is coached by Erick Kogo.
