NAIROBI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Edna Kiplagat is inspired as she gears up for the New York marathon on Nov. 5 hoping to secure her second title in America's top road race event.
However, she faces one of the formidable challenges in three time defending champion Mary Keitany and debutante Betsy Saina.
"I have been preparing well since my last race and I can say that I am enjoying it. At the moment everything is okay in terms of fitness," she said on Thursday.
"I have no target now but it is my prayer that training goes on well hoping that I will be on the podium come the day." But the focus will be on who is capable of stopping Keitany, 35, from claiming her fourth title in New York.
Kenyan is fresh from winning the Great North Run in Newcastle where she missed her course record by 20 seconds as she claimed victory in 65 minutes 59 seconds which is the fourth quickest ever in this race and her 10th sub-67.
This year, she also won her third London Marathon in April, breaking the women's only marathon record in a blistering time of 2:17:01.
She skipped the World championships to prepare for New York and she is on record saying an improvement on her personal best time is what is motivating her.
"It is always an honor to compete in New York. The fans and amazing and the atmosphere is exceptional. I know it is always tough returning to defend a title but surpassing a legendary runner like Paula Radcliffe for the second-most victories by a woman in the event would be incredible," Keitany said.
Meanwhile, Dennis Kimetto is keen to go back to Berlin next year where in 2014 he set his world marathon record of 2:02:57.
"It has been hard to break the world record I set in 2014 and I think it' s a high time I go back there and lower the time."
Reacting to this year's race, which Eliud Kipchoge won in 2:03:32 after the much-hyped record attempt, he said: "I was just at home watching the race and after seeing the foggy conditions, I knew it will be hard to lower that time. A record needs perfect conditions." Kimetto ruled out making a record bid for this year's Chicago Marathon next month.
