Road to Rio starts in Glasgow for Kiplagat
Athletics
By
IAAF
| Oct 04, 2015
Two IAAF World Championships title, one elusive Olympic gold. Ten months out from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Edna Kiplagat is ready to throw everything at the marathon medal she covets and the countdown starts at the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run in Glasgow today.
The 35-year-old will defend her title at the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race after the shortest of breaks in the wake of her failed attempt to make it three world championship golds in a row as she came fifth in Beijing in August.
After seeing off previous winner and compatriot Caroline Kilel 12 months ago to take victory in a course record time of 1:07:57, Kiplagat has returned — refreshed, if not entirely recovered — from her exhausting efforts in China and ready to contest the half marathon in Scotland’s largest city.
“I took two weeks break after Beijing and then slowly got back into it,” she said. “I just spent time playing with my kids and doing small chores at home.
“After the season, my body was still tired but I’ve tried this year to do work outs to help me recover. Compared to last year, I don’t feel as recovered but I’ve tried to focus on strength exercises. And I will give it my best on Sunday.”
Kilel has also returned to the city where she won silver on the track over 10,000m at 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The expected duel illustrates the strength in depth of the African nation on the roads, as well as track, and it could be a precursor for what promises to be an intense battle to merely earn be selected for the Olympic Games.
“It’s difficult to get that chance (to compete for Kenya at the Olympics,” Kiplagat who finished a disappointing 20th at the London 2012 Olympic Games said. — IAAF