Kenya' s Kibiwot to make marathon debut in Germany

Former world junior champion Viola Kibiwot of Kenya will make her marathon debut in Hamburg, Germany, later this month.

Kibiwot, who was primed to dominate the 1,500m race after she emerged successful in her first international show in Kingston Jamaica in 2002, is shifting gears to the road race and will take the ultimate challenge in marathon, reports Xinhua news agency.

Inspired by her training mate and Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, the 34-year-old will make a belated debut in the 42km distance in Germany on April 23.

Kibowot finished fourth at both the Beijing and Moscow World Championships in the 5,000m race.

"I have done my part on the track and now it is only right to try out a new challenge and the marathon discipline is inspiring enough," she said.

"Eliud (Kipchoge) has inspired me. I have seen him train, the punishing he goes through to be ready for a marathon and it is worth to try it out," she added.

Alongside Kibiwott, organisers of the Hamburg marathon has also got the signature of two top runners in former world marathon and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich from Uganda and junior world record holder Tsegaye Mekonnen from Ethiopia.

--IANS

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