Former Amsterdam Marathon winner Valentin Kipketer from Kenya Is going after a new course record in the Nagano Marathon on Sunday

"I have had to deal with injury concerns, but I have been in top fitness for the last three months. This has enabled me go through training well and I have cleared my training program," said Kipketer on Tuesday in Nairobi.

Kipketer will lead four other Kenyans in their tour of Japan and hopes with better preparations, she will be able to do well on her debut in Japan.

"I have been working on my speed in the last week. Hopefully, it will pay off in Nagano," she added.

Kenya's Beatrice Jepkemboi and Pauline Wangui will be leading women on the course eyeing to add the city's marathon to their collection.

Kipketer holds a fast time of 2:23:41 in Chicago 2016, but has not won a race in the last two years. She will have to be at her best game to beat home talent Hiroko Yoshitomi (2:30:09).

Ethiopia's challengers will be led by China's Nanjing Marathon champion Kebene Chala (2:30:49). Others are Tizita Terecha (2:31:45) and Meskerem Hunde (2:33:50).

"It is a strong line-up of veteran runners. But if you focus on the strength of your opponents, then you will be beaten in the mental battle. I want to look at my own preparations and focus on winning the race irrespective of who I will be running against," said Kipketer.

Former Lisbon Marathon champion Alfred Kering leads Kenya charge in the men's race. Kering, who is also a former bronze medalist from the Hengshui Lake Marathon in China is making a comeback after a poor season in 2018.

Kering's last marathon was in Lisbon in October, where he finished eighth in his title defense clocking 2:09:44.

"It has been tough for me, but I feel I have rested enough to challenge for the medals in Nagano," he said.

"I have no intentions of competing in the World Marathon championships owing to my poor run this season. But someday, I will represent Kenya in the Olympics."

posted Wednesday April 17th