NAIROBI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- New York Marathon silver medalist Wilson Kipsang hopes to silence his critics by winning this year's Berlin Marathon on Sept 16 with a new world record.
Speaking in Iten, Kipsang (36) wants to reclaim the world record, which he held for only one year when he won the 2013 race in the German capital clocking a time of 2:03:23, beating Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge.
To date that loss remains the only one Kipchoge has conceded ever since he launched his career in the 42km distance back in 2013.
Compatriot Dennis Kimetto has since improved the record to 2:02:57 when he won in 2014.
However, injuries and a loss of form took the wind out of his sails and he has struggled to remain at the top since.
But Kipsang is hopeful he will secure the world record yet again.
"My race in 2013 was great and earned me a world record. I want to emulate that run and return from Berlin with the title. My target is to go for a world record but that is dependent on the weather conditions of the day. I have no doubts about my fitness and strength," Kipsang told Xinhua on Friday in Iten.
Poor weather conditions have affected Kipsang's racing in both Japan and Germany. Last year the windy and rainy conditions saw Kipsang fall off the track.
He was back training a week later and went on to claim silver at the New York Marathon behind Geoffrey Kamworor. In February this year, Kipsang went to Tokyo to defend his crown but he could not withstand the heat and had to relinquish his title to countryman Dickson Chumba.
"I failed to do my homework in preparation for Tokyo and lost to a better athlete. It was the same case for New York. But I have done well in my training and I'm on form to set a new world record. I have what it takes to win against some of the world champions," added Kipsang.
Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge is the clear favorite to win the title in Berlin, which will be his tenth race.
Now he is on target to win his third Berlin title and improve his personal best of 2:03:05, which he attained in winning the 2016 London Marathon. Enditem
