I HAVE A DREAM: Mutai targets the 2015 London Marathon title

Emmanuel Mutai
Marathoner Emmanuel Mutai during a past race.

Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai's one-finger victory salute reminds one of the former ruling party Kanu's symbol.

And after competing in Virgin London Marathon seven times, Mutai is not done just yet.

He will take on an elite field of marathoners that include defending
champion Wilson Kipsang, world record holder Dennis Kimetto, 2014 runner-up Stanley Biwott and his training mate and Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich at the Virgin London Marathon on April 26.

Geoffrey Mutai, who ran a blistering 2:03.02 at the 2011 Boston
Marathon, is another star to watch.

But Mutai, who comes from Lessos in Nandi County, is to make amends, having finished second in eight big city marathons.

 

EIGHT TIMES

"I feel better placed in London as I will competing for eight times. I
have had tough training and my body is responding well. Sometimes I feel at home while competing in London but feel disappointed when I do not perform well.

"I expect a good run. My marathon journey in London has good but with an average performance. I have a fair share of running well and bad. At least three or four of my appearances in London have me the best moments. I earned a win in the fourth attempt and 2014 was my successful year," said Mutai.

In 2012, Mutai competed in London twice; the London Marathon and Summer Olympic Games. He was selected among the six Kenyan marathoners even after finishing seventh in former race, the lowest position ever.

 

HAPPIEST MOMENTS

"I want happiest moments this year. I know the course and its all
aspects. When the body responds well; I feel good but bad if it
doesn't. It doesn't matter how many times one has competed in certain course but preparations and the body response during competition," said Mutai.

He is the world's second fastest marathoner of all time 2:03.13 he
posted in Berlin Marathon last year, where he spurred Dennis Kimetto to world record time of 2:02.57.

"I am not under pressure. I know how to manage pressure especially in big races. Competition and training are no different may be a strong field which you must be equal to them," said Mutai.

Organisers of Virgin London Marathon always assemble the best field but best times or even world record has been elusive.

"When the field is so strong, there is always fears and tension and
the performance will go down. The times will be slower. But I hope all are preparing and may the strongest athlete carry the day," he said.

Mutai has posted sub 2:03, 2:04 and 2:06 in major marathons like New York but have never finished within 2:05.

"I have managed 2:03 twice, 2:04 once and many 2:06 but no 2:05. I don't know why. If I get chance, I can run the best time in Berlin. I will fight to attain 2:02 barrier," he said.

Mutai feels he is late to prepare for world championships set for
Beijing, China, in August.

"I wanted to run in Tokyo Marathon last month in preparations for
world championships but I got invited in London, which I feel I will
not have enough time to prepare. But I will decide after London. I
cant say that I will not make for world championships now," he said.