Kenyan woman marathoner Keitany eyes World Championships

It is not every day that an athlete breaks into the Kenya team, especially for the top of the ranking World Championships.

However, with track and field's premier event on the horizon in Beijing in August, the race for a berth in the team is starting to shape up with six months remaining, reports Xinhua.

Marathoners Mary Keitany and Priscah Jeptoo angle for the lucrative RAK half Marathon Friday in the United Arab Emirates to push them for selection in the national squad.

This will be the first hurdle in their quest to represent Kenya in Beijing at the marathon distance.

"I am still on the path to reclaim my past glory. Since coming from maternity leave, it is always a challenge to be at the top of the game," Keitany said Monday from Eldoret.

"But winning in Dubai will be a priority, though I hear my colleague Priscah (Jeptoo) is angling for the world record. My focus is to do well in marathon," she said.

The world record stands at an hour and 05.12 minutes and was set by Kenya's Florence Kiplagat 12 months ago in Barcelona. Keitany is the second fastest half marathon runner in history and the favourite to take her third RAK title.

"I want to compete at the World Championships in Beijing. But that will be dependent on my performances in Dubai and London marathon," said Keitany, who was fourth at the London Olympics in 2012 before she took time out to deliver her second child.

"This marks the start of our competition for Kenyan slot. I will race with Jeptoo and Philes Ongori and anyone can win. Then we meet again in London and it is important to have your priorities right. Mine is to go to Beijing," said Keitany.

Back in 2011, Keitany set what was then a world record of 1:05:50 - which remains the course record - before returning 12 months later to finish first again in 1:06:49.

Another fast time should be on the cards for Keitany, although she has said she isn't targeting a world record as she gets ready for the London Marathon April 26.

Facing Keitany will be her compatriot and RAK defending champion Jeptoo, who is on the comeback from a leg injury which forced her to miss the London and New York marathons last year.

Jeptoo finished second two years ago in a personal best of 1:06: 11 before winning by a minute last year in 1:07:02.

Jeptoo is also targeting the London Marathon in April, and a fast 15km just before Christmas shows she is returning to form after a stress fracture.

Five other runners in the elite women's field boast bests under the 68 minute-mark: Meseret Hailu (66:56), Elvan Abeylegesse (67:07), Philes Ongori (67:38), Worknesh Degefa (67:49) and Wude Ayalew (67:58).