Keitany certain to clinch gold for Kenya in women race

By Joseph Ngure

Two-times London Marathon Champion Mary Jepkosgei Keitany is pleased with Athletics Kenya decision to name her in the Olympic Games Marathon team.

Beaming with joy, Keitany, who successfully defended her Virgin London Marathon title this year, thanked the selectors for keeping confidence in her and vowed to deliver the gold medal.

"I am pleased because I will be competing in the Olympics Games for the first time. I will give the challenge my best," Keitany told Feverpitch.

Keitany, who enjoyed a brilliant outing last year, when she smashed the World Half Marathon record, led Kenyans in a clean sweep of the this year’s London Marathon, as the country claimed the top five places.

"I trained hard for London. I was under pressure to defend the title and to make the team to the Olympics. Now that I have achieved the two goals, my target is now an Olympic medal," added Keitany, who was born in Koibatek but shifted base to Iten where she is living with her husband, Charles Koech and three-year-old son Jared Kipchumba.

Break barrier

In 2011, the champion broke the two hour 20 minutes barrier with a memorable victory in London, and then did half of the New York City Marathon in November inside the World record but run out of energy towards the end, finishing third overall.

When she returned to London on April 22, the 30-year-old runner faced a strong opposition in her title defence from World champion Edna Kiplagat and Silver medal winner Prisca Jeptoo.

"When I travelled to London, my prayer was to do well and secure a ticket to the Olympics. All that I needed was a good finish in order to be in the team," said the former Nairobi’s Hiden Talent student.

Keitany said they will now train and run as a team to ensure Kenya win the three medals in the games set for July.

"It is good that all of us competed in London. Even if it changes slightly, we will run as a team, the way we did last Sunday. We shall also plan well against our rivals," said Keitany, who now takes a takes a short leave to recover.

Keitany had been short-listed for the Olympics together with five others.