Kenya's Keitany not keen to run at Athletics Worlds

World women's marathon record holder Mary Keitany of Kenya could skip the Athletics World Championships in London in order to focus on a lucrative race she is yet to confirm.

Keitany, who was overlooked in Kenya's selection for the Rio Olympics, seems to have lost her interest to represent the country again and will focus her energies in winning a big city marathon, which comes along with a lucrative pay pack, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I'm not sure which race I will run next, but I could be competing in New York Marathon for the fourth time," she said in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Alongside the New York race in November, Keitany may opt to compete in either Berlin (September) or in Chicago in October. However, the 35-year-old was categorical, her time for competing in the national team is almost over.

Keitany ran 2:17:01 hours in the London Marathon last week, which was a world record and said a fast time in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in January gave her the courage to overhaul Paula Radcliffe's mark in London.

Her timing was the second fastest in history. Paula Radcliffe's world best of 2:15:25 hours in the 2003 London marathon was set with the help of male pacemakers.

"When I ran well in the RAK Half Marathon, I came back home and finalised my training and this is where the world record discussion started. I was told by my manager that it was possible to run a faster time," she said.

Another athlete from Kenya, who will be missing in action at the London World Championships is Wilson Kipsang.

--IANS

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