Ugandan track and field star Moses Kipsiro has revealed he is braced for the 2017 Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon due 28 May.
The 2007 world 5000m bronze medallist and three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist is expected to challenge a contingent of Ethiopian runners after grappling with quite a number of injuries, malaria and typhoid.
He missed podium finish by one place at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships, fell at the 2012 London Olympic Games making 10th and finished 7th at the last year’s New York Marathon.
“So far I have only run two marathons and so I am still learning the event,” Kipsiro told IAAF.org from his training base in Kaptagat, Kenya.
“On my debut in Hamburg (in April 2016) I was on 2:06 pace until deep into the race, when my body started to shut down.
“I found out after that I was suffering from malaria at the time. New York was a more tactical race early on and a harder course. But after New York I know now that I am capable of a good marathon.”
Kipsiro ran 1:00:41 at the 2015 Delhi Half Marathon, an aspect of immense potential. He’s now focused on impressing in Canada.
“My goal is always to do my best in my next race,” Kipsiro added.
“So for me right now I am focused on running a great race in Ottawa. Then, after that, we shall see what options I have and long term I still see Tokyo 2020 as a realistic target for me.”