Kosgey vows to break world record time at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon

Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-18 22:18:48|Editor: huaxia

NAIROBI, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chicago and London marathon champion Brigid Kosgei has thrown down the gauntlet, warning her intention to run a world record time at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on Friday.

Kosgei, who departed for the United Arab Emirates city on Tuesday, said she has done well in training having shaken off the fatigue she experienced on running world record time in Chicago last October. Now she believes she is strong enough to set a new mark in her career.

Last year in Newcastle's Great North Run, Kosgei broke the world record shaving 33 seconds off compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei record of 64:51 but her time of 64:28 was not ratified owing to the point of elevation of the starting point for the race.

Now she believes in certified course like in Ras Al Khaimah, she will be able to make a statement of intent.

"Of course this record has been broken before by myself in Newcastle. I clocked the fastest time in Great North Run Half Marathon, but it was not recognized for world record. Nonetheless, I want to give RAK Half Marathon a good shot because my intention is to lower that time," Kosgei told reporters in Nairobi.

Kosgei has won all the 10 races she competed in since her victory at the 2018 Chicago marathon.

She also had second place finish in three races and her world performance in the last two years came from UAE in the very race she intends to conquer on Friday where she clocked fast time of 66:49 for seventh place finish.

She will be up against World Half Marathon Championships title holder Peres Jepchirchir, Joan Chelimo, Rosemary Wanjiru and third fastest woman over the distance, Fancy Chemutai.

World half marathon champion Netsanet Gudeta from Ethiopia will also compete in the race. However, it is a challenge Kosgei, who turns 26 on Thursday, is happy to take in her wide strides.

"You can't expect anything short of war in a race of this caliber. On Friday the rivals are strong athletes who promise to make it hard to any challenger. My target is to run well, and to possibly register my personal best in the race. I know Chemutai has said she wants to smash the world record. Let her know that I am okay with the challenge of a fast race. I'm ready," she added.

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