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Reigning Paris Marathon champion Judith Jeptum will be on a mission to impress as she makes her debut in marathon at the Eugene, Oregon, World Athletics Championships slated for July 15-24 in the United States. 

Ruth Chepng’etich will be defending her title which she won in the 2019 Doha World Athletics Championships at a time of 2:32:43. 

The women’s marathon in Eugene is scheduled for July 18, a day after the men’s event. 

Jeptum, who earned her place after winning last weekend’s Paris Marathon in a sub-2:20 course record, at the same time improved her personal best record of 2:19.48 seconds, said that she is confident and preparing well ahead of the championships. 

“I am preparing, hoping that we shall run as a team so that we get a back to back win and bring home all the medals,” said reigning Abu Dhabi marathon champion. 

 She added that her main aim in Eugene is to bring the marathon championship crown to Kenya. 

Beloved country

“I’m aiming to deliver for the country. I would like to assure Kenyans that I will do my best,” said Jeptum, who hails from Elgeyo Marakwet County. 

“It is the best time to represent my beloved country and I am longing to being on the world stage, donned in the Kenyan attire after clinching good results,” said the former Belgrade marathon champion. 

The 26 years old made her marathon debut in 2019 Venice marathon in Italy which she won 2:29.21, 2021 Izmir marathon in Turkey and 2021 Abu dhabi marathon. Her half marathon best time is 65 minutes, one minute behind the national record of 64minutes. 

Jeptum said that she started her running career at Biwott Day High School, but did not get a chance to go further until 2019 during the Venice marathon where she tried her luck and won the race. 

“I started my running career while in high school, but I could not do well to go further. I joined marathoners camp in Kapsait later where I was tipped later to run in the Italian marathon. That’s when I got motivation to continue running in different races,” she said.