Ndereba says she is fit to bounce back

By JOB WERU

Four-time Boston Marathon winner Catherine Ndereba has disclosed that she is now fit and ready to participate in the forthcoming Kenya Prisons track Championships.

Ndereba, who has been indisposed following triple injuries, among them a torn muscle on the back of her hamstring and a bruised bone said she was gradually picking up training, noting that: "I have been doing 65 miles a week".

The injuries led her to exit the track, and notably, the Boston Marathon which she has won four times.

"I got injured ahead of the Boston Marathon event and it made me pull out of the race. During that time, I had torn my muscle at the back of the hamstring," said Ndereba, the 2004 and 2008 Olympics Silver medalist.

Last year, she said she participated in several events, but she noted she was not in her total performance. On September last year, the world class marathon runner bruised her bone while in training.

"I was trying to come back, but I bruised my bone, hence suffering my career," she observed.

"I am now fit, although not 100 per cent, but I thank God, I can now race. I’m still working on my speed and I am slowly building my mileage," she said.

She continued that it has been a quiet season for her, but observed that she was grateful since she was headed to full recovery.

In an interview with the FeverPitch during Nderebasports Soccer Tournament finals held at Kiarithaini grounds in Mathira East District, Ndereba said she was ready to participate in the Kenya Prisons Championships.

The championships will be held at Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College on January 29.

Ndereba started her international marathon career in 1995, when she represented Kenya in a women’s relay in Seoul in Korea. Anthony Maina, her husband and manager said the marathoner was headed to full recovery.

"I’m optimistic she will soon jump back to stardom. It has been quite a quiet season for her," said Maina.

Maina added that the annual Nyeri Half Marathon, which is held in Nyeri town every November, would resume this year, noting that he was working Athletics Kenya to ensure the event continues annually.

Last year, the marathon was not held due to what Maina termed as ‘planning hitches since he was busy in school. Ndereba and Maina are the key sponsors of the half-marathon.