Former world marathon silver medallist Vincent Kipruto will lead Kenya's charge at the Xiamen International Marathon in China on January 6.
After a frustrating 2018, which saw the Kenyan compete in three marathons and fail to win any, Kipruto will be inspired as he seeks to start the year on a winning note and break the Ethiopian dominance in the race, reports Xinhua news agency.
Kipruto said he was disappointed with not being able to finish the Fukuoka Marathon early in December, but feels he has recovered and will make an attempt to win the Xiamen Marathon, though he is aware of the strong challenge the Ethiopians will present.
"I have recovered and focused on running top race. I believe I am strong enough to challenge for the medals. I have no intentions of competing at the World Championships later in 2019, but I want to give this race, my best effort.
"Ethiopians have dominated the race and it is time, Kenya takes over and brings home the medals," he said.
Defending champion of the Xiamen Marathon Dejene Debela of Ethiopia is expected to return to defend his title.
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Debele, 23, has showed great talent competing in three marathons in 2018 and winning two, both in China. He won the Xiamen Marathon clocking 2:11:22 and in August he returned to win the Beijing Marathon clocking 2:12:08. However, he was a distant seventh at the Rome marathon in April.
Another Kenyan expected in the race is Vincent Yator.
The Xiamen International Marathon is an annual marathon race held in January in the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian province of China. Every January, the first medal of marathon race around the world is awarded here.
The race has become a golden name card of Xiamen, showing its splendour to the whole world. It is one of the most prominent and world-renowned marathon events. Each year, more and more people from the world take part in this event.
More than 50,000 runners took part in the race in 2010. The 2013 edition featured 73,896 entrants. The Xiamen International Marathon, which began in 2003 and is deemed by the IAAF as a Gold Label Road Race, is famous for its coastal scenic course. The entire course follows the scenic sections of the coastal city.
--IANS
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