NAIROBI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Mary Keitany hopes to realise her dream of winning the London Marathon on Sunday in a new world record time. Keitany told Xinhua on Thursday that breaking Paula Radcliffe's world record would fulfill a lifelong dream as she eyes her fourth London Marathon title.
Keitany lowered Radcliffe's 12-year-old women-only world record when she claimed her third London Marathon title last year, clocking a time of 2:17:01.
She will run with male pacemakers on Sunday in an attempt to lower the Briton's 'mixed-gender' record of 2:15:25, set 15 years ago.
"To run 2:15 is really something else. But I will try to follow in the footsteps of the legend, Paula, on Sunday. With the male pacemakers we have a great opportunity and we have to try and see if it's possible," the 36-year-old said. Keitany has refused to think of a failed attempt.
Having competed in every major race and championship, she believes it is right to go for the record.
"It would mean so much to me because I have had Paula's record in mind since I started my career. She was an inspiration and that world record is still ahead of me as a lifetime goal. As long as I'm running I want to get it," she added.
Keitany, who is a three-time New York Marathon champion, has already shown fine form this year. She was beaten at the Ras Al-Khaymah race in February when she clocked a time of 64:55, the third quickest in history. "Training has gone well and I am ready for the race on Sunday," she said. "I have done a bit more speed work since 2017, but my long runs have been about the same," she said.
Keitany will however have to watch out for Chicago Marathon champ Tirunesh Dibaba. The Ethiopian was second in last year's race in 2:17:56 and she returns with determination not to repeat her past mistakes.
"I was shocked that Mary ran so fast last year from the start," Dibaba said. "I learned so much from that race, and I knew that I had to prepare better this year to be able to stay with her. I have changed many things in my training since 2017 and feel [like] I'm in better shape now."
