Lagat, Alemu ready to battle at Tata Mumbai Marathon

Defending champions Cosmas Lagat of Kenya and Worknesh Alemu of Ethiopia are eyeing to retain their titles in the men's and women's category respectively for the second consecutive year in the Tata Mumbai Marathon to be held on January 19.

Proclaiming themselves fit, both the athletes said they are not only ready to win back-to-back titles, but also aim to attack the course records.

Lagat had won the marathon 12 months ago in a decisive fashion when he broke away from the rest of the pack around 29 kilometres into the race.

"I had injuries to my left calf and Achilles tendon. It happens in training sometimes," he was quoted as saying in a media release.

"However, I am back in good training now and I think all is well. I train with Lawrence Cherono, who was the winner of the Boston and Chicago marathons last year, and I do the same training as him so I think I can perform as well as him.

"Running here last year and doing so well has given me confidence that I can win again, and I am thinking about the course record. I have learnt how to run this race better," Lagat said.

Last year, Lagat crossed the line in 2:09:15, the second fastest time in the history of the race and just 40 seconds outside the course record of 2:08:35 set by his compatriot Gideon Kipketer in 2016.

He will be aiming to become just the second man to win back-to-back titles in Mumbai, following in the footsteps of fellow Kenyan John Kelai, who had won in 2007 and 2008.

Like Lagat, Ethiopia's Alemu upset the form book in Mumbai 12 months ago and won in what was then a personal best of 2:25:25. It was also the second fastest winning time in the history of Mumbai Marathon.

"I have had good races in 2019 so my confidence is strong. It is a tough field, but I am in good shape. If I do well here, it could set me on the road to representing my country at the Olympics in Tokyo. Why not?" said Alemu.

Alemu heads a very strong women's field that has eight women, who have run under 2:28:00.

The fastest women in the field is another Ethiopian, Amane Beriso, who had a stunning marathon debut when she ran 2:20:48 for second place in the 2016 Dubai Marathon, which placed her third on that year's world list.

However, a variety of injuries mean that she has not raced in 15 months.

All the leading women will have as their target the course record of 2:24:33 set by Kenya's Valentine Kipketer in 2013.