Kenya´s Helah Kiprop eyes podium finish in Boston Marathon after long hiatus

Former Tokyo marathon champion Helah Kiprop says she is going for nothing less than a top finish at October's Boston Marathon on her return from maternity leave. 

Kiprop said she is raring to go and hungry for glory despite being out of action for a long time. 

The 2015 world marathon silver medalist has been training Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County under head coach David Marus. 

"It has been a while since I competed in a race and this time, I hope I will run well.  Three years out of competition is quite a long time but that has not killed my spirit; am still  strong. I am training hard to ensure I get good results,” Kiprop said.

In June, she was among hundreds of athletes who ran in the Eldoret City Marathon although the 2014 Seoul Marathon champion said the race was simply a test drive for her body. 

“I was at the Eldoret City marathon not for the prize money but to gauge my speed and form. That is why I did not  finish the race. From my assessment, I was fit and ready for more major races,” she said.

Kiprop also competed at last year's edition of the Boston Marathon, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

In this year's edition, she will face off with fellow countrywomen, former champion Ednah Kiplagat, Diana Chemtai, Purity Changwony, Caroline Chepkoech and Monica Wanjiru, among others.

She boasts a personal best of 2:27:29 — set at the Seoul Marathon in 2014. 

posted Tuesday September 21st
by Emmanuel Sabuni