World women marathon champ Catherine Ndereba is all set to defend her title at this year’s World Championships in Helsinki, Finland…
Ndereba arrived home at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi, on 22 April from the United States where she had participated in the Boston marathon and won. It was her fourth victory in the race.
She was emphatic that she was not only going for a win in Helsinki, but she was also going to break the world record.
Ndereba was received by thousands of fans who had gathered to welcome her home.
Her parents, Joseph and Gathoni Ndereba, were also at the airport to greet her.
Ndereba who made history as the first woman to win the Boston marathon four times, said she will rest for a while before resuming training in preparation for the World Championships in Helsinki.
Ndereba turned down the chance to run in this years London marathon opting for the Boston run instead.
“In this world you can run and win, make money and be happy, but it takes more than just running to make history. And that is what was at stake in Boston with fourth victory becoming, I was obliged to run in the marathon,” she said.
However, she dismissed critics who said that she was avoiding her rivals Paula Radcliff who won the London marathon setting a new time of 2h15m25s though she was assisted by male pace setters.
Ndereba said that the new record made by Radcliff can be broken by any athlete saying that it was only a matter of time before it is smashed.
Both athletes are expected to face each other in Helsinki.
“Anyone can break the record so long as you work hard. In fact that is one of my goals when we get to Finland. I will be set to break the world record," said Ndereba.
The world champion is considering running in Chicago or New York later in the year but noted that it will depend on her body response.
