By John Kwoba
NAIROBI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Fast time and quest for first marathon victory is what will inspire Olympic champion Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya in her second shot at the 42km distance on the streets of Frankfurt on Oct. 29.
The 34-year-old has made a late transition from track to marathon, having debut in London in April where she finished fourth in a strong elite group clocking 2:23.50.
But with a realistic chance of pocketing about 35,300 U.S. dollars being bonus fee to run under 2:21:01, set five years ago by course record holder Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu, the Kenyan will be more than happy to hit two birds with one stone.
"I am looking forward to running the second marathon of my career in Frankfurt," Cheruiyot said. "I won my first World Championship title in Germany in 2009 and will try to get my first big marathon victory there in 2017."
"The important thing is to improve on my personal best time. It will show development in my career as a marathon runner, but winning is the most important."
Cheruiyot's appearance will be the first by an Olympic champion in the Frankfurt Marathon, this year marking its 26th edition.
The list of her achievements is impressive which includes not only that Rio title, but five World Championship gold medals as well. In 2011 in Daegu she won both the 5,000m and 10,000m titles.
After an extraordinary career on the track, Cheruiyot has a new target in view: achieving similar excellence in the marathon.
The Kenyan runner made her debut at the distance in London this April, and Frankfurt will be her second marathon and the Kenyan is confident of making considerable improvement if conditions are good.
"The challenge from other runners will inspire me. It is what you expect in any big competition. I will happily take that in my strides. But to win in Frankfurt will be a major statement and endorsement of my career plans," she said.
After her fourth place finish in London in April, Cheruiyot clocked 1:07:44 for her personal best in the half marathon last month at the Great North Run, finishing second.
"I have heard very good things about the Frankfurt organization, atmosphere and course from some of my friends and training partners who have won there before. I saw some photos of the red carpet finish and hope I will be smiling when I cross the finish line on Oct. 29."
