NAIROBI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Two-time world champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya said Thursday that she hopes to have favorable weather on Boston on Monday as she seeks to recapture the marathon title.
The 39-year-old lost out to American Desiree Linden in rainy and windy condition in 2018 and wants to reclaim what she believes to be her title on Monday.
"I must thank my fans and family for the great support. My training has gone on well as planned. I'm excited to go back to Boston marathon praying for a favorable weather," said Kiplagat.
The Kenyan will be up against Linden, 2015 Boston champion Caroline Rotich and 2012 winner Sharon Cherop.
"It is a strong team and it promises to be an exciting race. But it is down to what I have done in training and my mental strength. I will battle to the end and hopefully win the gold," said Kiplagat.
The quartet of past Boston winners will line up against a trio of Ethiopian women, who have run faster times below the two hours and 20 minutes.
They include three-time Dubai Marathon winner Aselefech Mergia, 2015 world champion Mare Dibaba and 2017 Dubai winner Worknesh Degefa.
Kenya's 2012 Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Sally Kipyego and Ethiopian trio Meskerem Assefa, Belaynesh Oljira and Marta Megra will also be in Boston, while Jordan Hasay, Sara Hall, Lindsay Flanagan, Becky Wade and Sarah Crouch lead the U.S. contingent.
Last year's second and third-place finishers, USA's Sarah Sellers and Canada's Krista DuChene, will return.
Betsy Saina, European bronze medalist Eva Vrabcova and marathon debutante Mary Wacera will also be on the start line.
