By David Macharia

Nyahururu-based Mary Wacera has covered about 500 kilometres in training in preparation for November 3 New York City marathon.

Wacera has been running 40km per week in the last three months while also covering shorter distances in speed work around the high altitude Nyahururu.

New York will be her second marathon since making a debut in Boston in April where she finished seventh but she is not considering herself among the favourites. 

“I am still learning how to run marathons so I will be more focused on the race,” said Wacera.

“New York is a difficult course just like Boston, so I’m not so focused on the time, but if I get a personal best (PB), I will be happy,” added Wacera, when asked if she will be seeking to improve her current PB which stands at 2:58:33 recorded in Boston.

However, the race in New York is expected to be tough for the 2014 World Half Marathon silver medallist given defending champion Mary Keitany, who holds the women’s only world record of 2:17.01, and this year’s New York Half Marathon champion Joyceline Jepkosgei will be the top Kenyans at the event. 

Wacera, who started road running six years ago, had specialised in half marathons where she finished second in Copenhagen 2014 and won in Houston to years later before switching to full marathons early this year, starting with Boston in April.

Wacera also won bronze in 5,000m at the 2006 World Junior Championships and gold at the 2007 Africa Junior Championships over the distance.