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Two-time World marathon champion Edna Kiplagat is focussed on picking  a third gold during the 17th edition of the global event in Doha, Qatar.

As she turns 40 a month after the biennial championships, Kiplagat, does not for once doubt she has what it takes to claim her third gold to add to victories in Daegu in 2011 and Moscow 2013.

Kiplagat who settled for silver in the 2017 edition in London, says she will go to the championships as hungry just as she was eight years ago before her first victory.

“It really doesn’t matter how old you are. Getting an opportunity to represent your country is extremely special,” said Kiplagat.

“I will head to the championships full of confidence as a two-time champion. I have won two times and once again, I will be happy because I want to win a third gold medal,” said Kiplagat who is also a two-time Abbott World Marathon Majors (Abbott WMM) series winner.

The athlete who hails from Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County appreciated the influence of her husband Gilbert Koech doubling up as her coach for her longevity in sports, saying without his support she could not have achieved so much.

“My husband has been training with me for the longest time. Besides he decided to go to school and study nutrition, which has been of great importance in my career, while I take credit for winning, I think more credit should go to him,” said Kiplagat.

“I am not saying my life is perfect, but maybe there is a lot that the upcoming athletes can learn from my career.

Strong family foundation can go a long way in propelling one to certain heights,” added Edna  who has a personal best of 2:19.50 set during the London marathon in 2012.

The former Boston Marathon champion will be joined by former Paris marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho and Dubai champion Ruth Chepng’etich in the Doha challenge.

“I expect adverse weather conditions in Doha. But that will not be something new in the world of marathon.

As a team we have been training hard enough for the championships with the aim of bring the title back,” she concluded.