World champion Jepchirchir targets Delhi Half Marathon record

Kenya's half marathon world champion Peres Jepchirchir has the Delhi Half Marathon course record in her sights when she competes in the Indian capital on November 20.

Jepchirchir is the biggest name in the women's elite field of the 12th edition of India's leading half marathon, reports Xinhua.

She will be chasing the course record of 1:06.54 hrsset by her compatriot and three-time New York Marathon champion Mary Keitany in 2009, and is also looking to extend her winning streak to four after her recent victory in the Spanish city of Valencia on October 23.

"I'm recovering well after my race in Valencia and getting ready for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, where I think I can get the course record," Jepchirchir said on Wednesday.

"Mary's record is a good one but my time of 1:07:09 in Valencia showed that I am in good shape, even though I was a little worried beforehand there about not having done my best training due to a few small injury problems and having changed my plans to have my marathon debut around this time."

"However, I have felt no ill-effects from my run in Valencia and I am getting ready to return to India and hope to run well again, especially if I have a month's good training," she added.

Jepchirchir set a personal best of 1:06:39 when finishing fourth at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February.

Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa and Kenya's Mary Wacera, whose personal bests are 1:06:14 and 1:06:29 respectively, will also compete in Delhi.

In the men's elite field, Rio 2016 Olympic Games marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and 2012 Olympic Games marathon gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich will race.

The leading men and women will be chasing first prizes of $27,000 with a total prize fund (men and women) of $270,000.

--IANS

sam/vt