New Delhi: Kenya's Edwin Kipyego has good memories of his triumph at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here last year. On his second visit to the country, Kipyego -who achieved a personal best of 60.04 secs at last month's Philadelphia meet where he finished third -said he is aiming for a sub60 timing in Sunday's race, but added “it will be tough.“
“It is the toughest field ever. Every one is a great runner. But I have trained hard and will look to improve my personal best here. If I can clock sub-60 timing on Sunday , I will be happy . I am just four seconds shy of the mark,“ Kipyego said here on Thursday .
Asked who would be his toughest competitor in the event, the 22-year-old from Iten said: “I don't really think about the competition or fear anyone. I am ready for Sunday .“ Kipyego, who aims to run the 10,000m at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, also thanked the organisers for shifting the event to December from its usual November date.
“The current weather favours us, it feels cool but not really cold, so it is better for competition. Last year, it was hot and humid. It was a terrible experience,” he added.
This year’s event will witness the best-ever elite field, which includes four men and women currently in the top10 of 2013 rankings.
Kipyego’s compatriot Geoffrey Kipsang, ranked no.1 in the IAAF list with a personal best of 58:54 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon this year, is another name to watch out for on Sunday.
Kipsang had finished second in 2001, and was raring to better his record this time. “I have been preparing hard and hope good things happen on Sunday,” said the former world junior cross country champion, who also stars in the movie The Unknown Runner.
Among the women, Lucy Kabuu, who won the RAK Half Marathon with a personal best timing of 66:09 in February, will be making her second appearance here.
