NAIROBI, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) - Kenya's Brigid Kosgei, winner of the 2018 Chicago Marathon, is the first woman to confirm her participation at the London Marathon on April 26.
The 24-year-old said she is keen to make a return to the British capital, where she is targeting an improvement on her personal best time.
"I made a deliberate move after winning in Chicago not to defend my crown in Honolulu because I wanted to rest. Now I have started training in focus to compete at the London Marathon," Kosgei said on Thursday in Eldoret.
The former Honolulu Marathon champion finished second in London last year in 2:20:13, before going on to smash her best time over the distance with 2:18:35 when winning the Chicago Marathon in October.
Kosgei said the Chicago race has boosted her confidence going into future competitions. "My husband and coach Erick Kimaiyo has been there for me during my training. He has been very supportive," added Kosgei.
"I have more confidence as I gain more experience running marathons."
Kimaiyo said their next target will be to break the women's world record. Fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany holds the world record for the women-only marathon at 2:17:01, set in London in 2017.
"Kosgei did a good job in Chicago last year despite the rains that were pounding during the race. I want to start preparing her to attempt a world record. I know she can lower it," said Kimaiyo.
Kosgei started this season with a seventh-place finish in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February, before finishing second behind Vivian Cheruiyot at the London Marathon in April.
On New Year's Eve, Kosgei showed her preparations are on course and she enjoyed top form when she won an explosive 10km San Silvestre Vallecana road race in Madrid, clocking 29:54 to beat world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri.
Organizers of the London Marathon are yet to confirm other elite runners expected in the women's race, though both defending champion Vivian Cheruiyot, New York Marathon winner Mary Keitany and Berlin gold medalist Gladys Cherono are expected to take part.
