NAIROBI, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan Olympian Betsy Saina called for patience from her fans as she heads to Paris Marathon on Sunday, her third attempt to break the 42km jinx.
The 29-year old said she is both excited and nervous as she hopes that the third time is a charm after two failed attempts to finish the marathon races in New York and Paris.
"It is not going to be easy but I will put everything out," she said on Thursday. "I have had bad performances before but am nervous because I feel am ready for my big win."
The Kenyan "Galaxy of Stars" left Nairobi Wednesday night for Paris. Many hope that victory in Paris will help them secure Kenya tickets to the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Last month, Saina finished seventh in the New York Half-Marathon clocking one hour 13 minutes.
Saina, who finished fifth in the 10,000m at the 2016 Olympics, has also won the Marugame Half-Marathon in February in 1:09:17, taking 10 seconds off her personal best time set in Boston in 2014. She also triumphed at the 2016 Great Scottish Run in 1:07:22.
"In New York, I was not tough enough to handle the cold. But I took it positively and have been working hard in training. I am expectant and nervous but excited as well ahead of the challenge in Paris. I can feel the marathon legs. I hope the city will be good to me and hand me my first win," she said.
The women's line-up includes Ethiopian veteran Amane Gobena (2:21:51) and Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich, who won the Istanbul Marathon last November on her debut in 2:22:36.
