NAIROBI, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Not even the baking temperatures in Doha, Qatar will distract Edna Kiplagat from her quest to clinch a third world marathon championship title.
With two wins and two near-misses, Kiplagat wants to make her fifth appearance at the World Championships memorable and believes that another gold will be the icing on the cake.
At 40, Kiplagat is not showing any signs of slowing down and wants her younger rivals to try to catch her on September 27. Owing to the heat in Doha, organizers have elected to stage the marathon at midnight, though the course will be fully lit.
"It is an open secret that the weather in Doha will be adverse. But that will not be something new in the world of the marathon. As a team we have been training hard for the championships with the aim of bringing the title back," Kiplagat said on Wednesday.
Kenya's marathon coach Joseph Cheromei says the team is preparing adequately for the challenge that awaits them.
"It will be the first time that a marathon is being held at midnight in a World Championship because of the weather. We will therefore have to adapt accordingly by training under similar conditions," said Cheromei.
After wins in Daegu, South Korea in 2011 and Moscow, Russia in 2013, Kiplagat wants to clinch her third title at the fifth attempt. In Beijing in 2015, she settled for fifth place, while she was second in London two years ago.
"To run for Kenya always feels special. We have a large base of athletes to draw from and when you get the invite, you treasure it. I turned 40 on September 15 and it is no concern. It really doesn't matter how old you are," said Kiplagat.
"I will head to the championships full of confidence as a two-time champion. I have won two times and once again, I will be happy because I want to win a third gold medal."
Trained by her husband Gilbert Koech, Kiplagat said the foundation of family is critical to success in sports.
"My husband has been training with me for the longest time. He also decided to go to school and study nutrition, which has been of great importance in my career. While I take credit for winning, I think more credit should go to him as well," said Kiplagat.
"A strong family foundation can go a long way in propelling one to certain heights."
Alongside Kiplagat, Kenya will also have former Paris Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho and Dubai champion Ruth Chepng'etich.
But Kiplagat believes the challenge will come from within and abroad.
Ethiopia, Kenya's longtime challengers, will parade Tokyo Marathon champion Ruti Aga, Shure Demise and Roza Dereje. Enditem
