Faith Kipyegon’s rival ecstatic ahead of Riga showdown
By Joel Sang, September 30, 2023Faith Kipyegon’s Australian rival Jess Hull has exuded confidence ahead of the Riga 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
Hull has competed in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in February, in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August, and will be on the roads in Riga, where she will race the mile against Kipyegon who will be making her road debut.
Hull only wants to be consistent in a season in which she has enjoyed remarkable success.
“It has been an incredible season, and if I can be just as consistent as I have been and tie a bow on what has been a great year, it’s going to be really fun.
“Being part of the excitement of a brand new event has made it something to look forward to at the end of the calendar,” she added.
Hull recalls Kipyegon’s record
It will not be the first time that Hull and Kipyegon clash, as they met when the Kenyan superstar broke the world record in Florence in June.
Kipyegon ran to win the 1500m race in 3:49.11, breaking the world record as Hull posted her personal best when she clocked 3:57.29.
“It was my personal best, but being a part of the race when Faith (Kipyegon) broke the world record and I think even surprised herself that night was just incredible.
“To be part of that field that celebrated her success and her journey to being the world record-holder, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment,” Hull told World Athletics.
Jepchirchir eyes history
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir will be chasing a rare record when she competes in Riga.
The Olympic marathon champion is looking to become just the fourth woman in history to win three world titles at the half marathon.
She was a half-marathon champion twice after her triumphant shows in 2016 and 2020. Looking ahead, she knows it is not going to be an easy battle.
“I know it won’t be easy and the level of competition is very high, but I’m going to try to do my best.
“Defending a title is never easy, but it’s not hard if you’ve trained well. I’ve been focusing more on the marathon this year, but I’m still going to try my best on Sunday,” Jepchirchir told World Athletics.
She was injured and missed last year’s edition, and after the Riga Road Championship, her focus is also on the New York Marathon.
“Last year, I was injured. But now I’m completely healed and injury-free. I won the Great North Run a few weeks ago, and I’m looking ahead to the New York Marathon,” Jepchirchir, who returned to action in April with a third-place finish at the London Marathon in 2:18:38, said.