Kiprotich confident ahead of New York

By Norman Katende

New York Marathon

Sunday

MOSCOW 2013 World Athletics Championships marathon winner Stephen Kiprotich flew to America yesterday, beaming with confidence of putting up a good show at the ING New York Marathon.

Kiprotich is one of the elite athletes to compete in the event scheduled for Sunday.

Uganda’s second Olympic gold medallist has been training in the Global Sports Communication camp in Kaptagat for the last two months. 

And when taunted about expectations in New York, Kiprotich was very fast to reply: “My plan is to travel well and anything can happen there you know.”

Kiprotich promised a surprise before the London Olympic Games and the Moscow championships; and the same cannot be ruled out in a marathon where tactics will take the day as there are no pacemakers.

Even against the reigning London marathon champion Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, and the New York and Boston course record holder, Geoffrey Mutai, who will be looking for a third straight title, having won the 2011 and 2012 editions, Kiprotich believes all should be well.

“They are experienced but the days for experience are long gone. It now revolves on how much hard work you put in training. I can ably say that I am ready to take them on,” said Kiprotich.

However, even beyond the usual names, Kiprotich will be racing against other top runners like experienced Martin Lel, who finished second in the London marathon.