Former Chicago marathon champion Abel Kirui will debut at Abu Dhabi marathon at end of November.
Kirui says competing in Abu Dhabi will be a good start for him targeting world championships next year.
“I want to make history by running in many world championships. I have started my journey and running in Abu Dhabi will be a great opportunity for me to prove my running skills,” said Kirui.
The November 26th race in the Arab Dhabi Kirui will face off with former Valencia marathon champion Victor Kipchirchir among others.
“Am hoping to dance again at the Abu Dhabi on my debut on the course. It has been a while since I competed, with hopes of winning a title that will help me bargain for world championships with my good results,” said Kirui.
Kirui, who trains alongside double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipcohe at the Global Sports Communication started his marathon journey at the 2006 Singapore Marathon where he finished third in 2:15:2.
“Now I still have about three weeks of preparations and as an athlete, the fight will be for the title and nothing less. The field will be crowded not that there are no many races in the world but my focus will be fixed to the title,” said Kirui who finished third at the 2007 Vienna City Marathon timing 2:10:41 before winning the title the following year 2:07:38
The last time he competed in a race was during the Milano marathon in June where he fell at the 30km to finish 11th in a race won by Titus Ekiru, leading Kenya’s podium sweep with Reuben Kirpop Kipyego and Barnabas Kiptum for third position.
Kirui won the 2009 championships in Berlin Germany and defended the title in 2011 Daegu, South Korea.
Born and raised in Samitoi village, Nandi County, Kirui has won silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in marathon.
“For now, my training is going on well, expecting a tough race,” said the 2007 Berlin Marathon silver medalist.
With weather conditions during the race, the former Chicago marathon champion said he may be considering lowering his personal best of 2:05:04 set during the 2009 Rotterdam marathon.
“As much as I want to lower my time, I always run well under warm weather conditions, with hopes that the weather will favour me when I will be at the starting line-up,” he added.
The two time London marathon champion braved numerous challenges in his childhood, burning with a desire to post stellar performance in class work and that paid off when he was recruited by Kenya Police Service.
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