Reigning Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto is targeting a strong performance in his debut at the Summer Olympics men’s marathon, scheduled for August 10.

The Kapsabet-based runner Kipruto said he is preparing well for the race and is ready to give his best.

“I am preparing well. So far, my training is going well, and I have completed part of it. Now it’s just maintenance before traveling to Paris,” stated the Chicago Marathon champion.

Kipruto (pictured) mentioned that he is responding well to training and is eager to compete.

“I am in good shape and looking forward to competing well. I have trained extensively in hot conditions and have also undergone acclimatization, including sauna sessions and training in sunny weather with extra clothing,” added Kipruto, who has two bronze titles in the Boston Marathon.

The 2021 Boston Marathon gold medalist Kipruto is upbeat about a strong performance in Paris, a region in the north of France known for its tough conditions.

While the marathon is known to be challenging for the body, the 2024 Paris route, which includes long hills and descents, will test athletes’ endurance.

At 33 years old, Kipruto set a personal best of 2:02:16 when he won the Tokyo Marathon in Japan. He set a record by improving on the previous mark of 2:02:40 set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2022.

“I have also worked on this,” Kipruto said. “Kapsabet has similar hills, so the terrain is almost the same as where I train. I went to Paris in May to familiarize myself with the marathon course.”

He added, “The challenging part is the downhill, so I’m also training for that.”

Kipruto will compete alongside other elite athletes, including two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, reigning London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao, and Tokyo Marathon silver medalist Timothy Kiplagat, who will be a reserve.