NAIROBI, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Samuel Kiplimo Kosgei feels his silver medal from China's Dongying Yellow River Marathon last May will help him win Sunday's Seville marathon in Spain and boost his credential ahead of Kenya team selection for October's World Marathon Championships in Doha.
"I had a nice performance in China at the Dongying marathon. It was a good course and the fans cheered me on very well. I want to go back and try to win the gold, having claimed silver on the first attempt," Kosgei said here on Friday.
Speaking at his departure for Seville, Kosgei will lead a local entourage in quest to end Ethiopian dominance in the race.
"It is a tough race with athletes of high experience from Ethiopia and other countries. But it boils down to training and determination. I have the will to run better and improve on my best time, of two hours and six minutes from Dubai in 2016," said Kosgei.
Last year, Kosgei took part in only two marathons, the Dongying Yellow River Race in China and the Gyeongju Marathon in South Korea, clinching silver medals in both.
In Seville, he will come up against Belay Afesa, holder of a 2:07:10 lifetime best set in Hamburg five years ago, Seboka Nigusse (2:09:14), Ayana Tsedat (2:09:26), Melaku Bechalew (2:10:31) and Regasa Mindaye (2:10:51).
There's also Eritrea's Yohanes Gebregergish who boasted a 2:08:14 career best from the 2017 Tokyo Marathon and clocked 2:11:27 in Valencia in December, his last outing.
The other Kenyan in the race is Jonah Chesum, winner of the 2017 Barcelona marathon with a best time of 2:08:57. He last raced in October's Lisbon Marathon clocking 2:10:08.
Kenyan Titus Ekiru set the old Seville marathon course record of two hours, seven minutes and 43 seconds before the organizers made changes to the course.
In the women's race, Ethiopia's Hiwot Gebrekidan will be aiming to improve on her personal best of 2:25:45 set in 2017. Other Ethiopians on show include Aynalem Kassahun (2:28:18) and Meskerem Abera (2:28:35).
Kenya will be represented by Susan Jeptoo who set her 2:30:50 best in Prague last year.
"It is a good start for me in 2019. I hope to do well and win the race," said Jeptoo.
