Change of plan for Jeptum in Sunday’s London marathon
World marathon silver medallist Judith Jeptum will be on a mission to impress at the London Marathon on Sunday.
Jeptum will miss the company of her training mate, who is also world women’s marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei who is out of the competition due to an injury.
Kosgei was eyeing a third win after winning two years consecutively in 2019 and 2020, she opted out of the 2022 competition following a nagging hamstring injury since last month.
Recently, the Olympic silver medallist told the London Marathon organisers that a minor hamstring injury had interrupted her preparation for Sunday’s race.
According to London Marathon organisers, Kosgei decided to withdraw from the race to avoid making the injury worse.
Jeptum was to be a pacemaker at the race but later she decided with her coaches to go the race full distance.
This will be a good opportunity for her to continue shining in the marathon.
World beaters
In July Jeptum won a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene for Kenya, with a personal best time of 2:18.20, she was outshined by Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase.
Kapsait-based runner in Elgeyo Marakwet County christened as the home of champions for having produced world beaters in athletics Jeptum said she is confident and ready to rumble on the streets of the United Kingdom.
“I have prepared well for the race and am hopeful that I will give good results, at least come out with a medal,” she said.
Jeptum made her marathon debut in the 2019 Venice Marathon in Italy which she won timing 2.29.21, the 2020/21 Izmir Marathon in Turkey and the 2021 Abu Dhabi marathon.
Her half marathon best is 65 minutes, one minute behind the national record of 64minutes.
The 26-year-old Jeptum will face off in the London Marathon with a very competitive field since the organisers have called in star-studded athletes.
Jeptum will join forces with her friend defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei which will be her second race this year having finished seventh in April at Boston Marathon clocking 2:24:43.
Jepkosgei will be eyeing her second victory in the world’s lucrative race.
