Kenya's Keitany Relishes New York Marathon Challenge

Published by Global Post on October 15, 2014

Kenya's Mary Keitany is relishing the challenge at the New York Marathon on Nov. 2, as she seeks to secure back her form after a two years' sabbatical.

The 30-year-old, mother of two, will be running her first marathon, and third race in two years when she lines up at the New York course and hopes she will be able to conquer her personal fear and finishing the race, if not winning it.

"It has been two long years. My last race was in London Olympics where I finished fourth. I have now to focus on this new challenge ahead and the biggest rival will be myself," said Keitany, Tuesday in Iten.

"My training has been going on very well. I have also had a chance to compete and test my body, but this will be the first major hurdle in my program to return to the top of marathon running.

"It is good that the training has been successful so far and there are no injury concerns. My body has responded well to different challenges in the training ground. I have also seen how it can react in competition when I took part in the Ottawa 10km and Great North Run, a 21km half marathon race."

But completing the ultimate 42km distance will be a bid question; Keitany is keen to let her legs answer.