NAIROBI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Geoffrey Kirui set his sight at retaining his title when the Kenya men's marathon team head to Doha, Qatar next week for the World Championships.
"As the defending champion I know everyone will be coming to beat me, but as I did last time this time round am even better prepared" Kirui said on Saturday from Eldoret.
The men's marathon will be held on Oct. 4 at midnight in Doha and Kenya team will depart for Doha on Monday. The world's first championship midnight marathons will be run on a fully lit.
"I have seen what the women's team did and it has inspired me to work even harder," said Kirui. "I have been there before, and I know the weather is very hot so am preparing well for any condition."
Kirui will team up with Berlin marathon runners up Amos Kipruto, Laban Korir and Paul Lonyangata.
"The team is perfect and everyone looks stronger, but this is the World Championship and we need to be aware of competition from others who are also doing well out there," Kirui warned.
