NAIROBI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot will make a case to defend her crown on Sunday by applying new running techniques.
Cheruiyot, who beat New York Marathon champion Mary Keitany in last year's race, believes she will not show all her cards as she plots a surprise strategy to counter her rivals.
Speaking in Nairobi, Cheruiyot says her training has been good and she is ready to tackle the course in London.
However, she warned it will not be about running a fast time, but winning the race.
"At this level of competition, everyone is a star and the first thing is to win the mental battle, gain the edge and win the race. I don't know what my competitors are planning, maybe they want to break the world record, but for me, I hope to run a good race," Cheruiyot said.
Having beaten Keitany to the title last year, Cheruiyot acknowledged that while they might be rivals on the road, she enjoys a warm relationship with the New York Marathon champion.
"In athletics we are also friends. If I win, then that is my time, and if Mary wins, it's her time, because this is sports," explained Cheruiyot.
In addition to Cheruiyot and Keitany, also lining up in London will be Berlin Marathon champion Gladys Cherono, Chicago Marathon winner Brigid Kosgei, and Linet Masai, who ran a career-best 2:23:46 in the Amsterdam Marathon.
