NAIROBI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan champions Vivian Cheruiyot and Abel Kirui remain uncertain on which race they will compete in this year, but have confirmed they intend to throw in their hat for a shot at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019.
Speaking from Eldoret, Kirui, the Chicago marathon silver medalist says his management is yet to make up a decision if he will return to Chicago or will race in Berlin or New York. Kirui has avoided injury this season and was fourth at the London marathon in April before finishing third at the Great Manchester run in May.
"I am in training looking forward to the new marathon season starting in September. But whether it is in Chicago or New York, am yet to get the confirmation," he added.
But for Cheruiyot, the London marathon champion, a decision on her fourth 42km race will have to wait before she makes up her mind.
Cheruiyot, 34, debut in marathon in London in 2017 and finished fourth clocking 2:23.48. But she won two successive races in Frankfurt (2:23:35) and London (2:18:31) to boost her pedigree in road running.
"Certainly I will run one race this year," she said. "I have my program running well and it will be important to select a good race to see what results I will get."
But it is the two time world marathon champion who hopes to end his career on a high with another win in Doha in 2019. The former Chicago marathon winner boasts a long and distinguished career in the sport.
As a two-time world marathon champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Kirui still remembers the moment of pure elation after securing gold at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu.
"I was world marathon champion in Berlin (in 2009) and my expectation was as the title holder, I wanted to win the world title to confirm to myself I could be a champion once more. My preparations had gone well that year and I was confident I could run well. I face strong opposition, but I excelled," he said.
Not even the hard weather condition could derail Kirui's progress.
"The picture of me dancing after I crossed the line is still clear. The dance was not pre-rehearsed; it came automatically because I was so happy. It was a beautiful moment and I did another dance after I won the Chicago marathon (in 2016). For me retaining my world title was a perfect moment. It proved I could be champion again and that is why I was so happy," he added.
