Former women's record holder Loroupe to fight for Mumbai crown

Mumbai, Jan 19 (UNI) Though a bit past her prime, but still in great shape, former women's Marathon World record holder, Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, said she would be putting up a strong challenge for the women's crown at the Mumbai Marathon on Sunday.

The winner of a number of Marathons across the globe, including the New York, Rotterdam, London and Rome, Loroupe was looking forward to her first Marathon in the city after she won the half Marathon in 2005.

''I never go to run a Marathon until I am fully prepared. The Marathon is the trickiest race so I will run with my focus on the road ahead.

I will give my one hundred percent and hope for the best,'' she told reporters here today.

Another Kenyan, Stanley Leleito, who finished third last year in the men's race, said he felt 'comfortable' in the city. ''I have raced here before so I know the course. I am used to the climate and that will give me a bit of an edge. If the weather gets tough it gets tough for everyone so it should be a close race.'' Another hot favourite, John Kelai, decided to prepare a little differently for the Marathon. ''It affected my fitness regiment a little bit by training during the hotter time of the day. I hope that will keep me better prepared for the race.'' Kelai is a little more careful when he chooses the Marathons he runs. He justified this saying, ''I don't run more than two marathons in one season. I believe that approach is helping me.'' Both the Kenyans, Kelai and Leleito have quick personal best times. Leleito has broken the 2 hrs 10 minute barrier when he finished within 2:10:00, while Kelai has broken the barrier with a time of 2:09:09 secs.

UNI