BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE TOWER HOTEL, LONDON

Five of the elite female competitors for Sunday’s 35^th  London Marathon took time out of their busy schedule to talk about their preparations. It is believed that these elite athletes are probably the best ever assembled for a marathon. The five are Edna Kiplagat,  Asefelech Mergia, Florence Kiplagat,  Priscah Jeptoo and Mary Keitany.

When double World Champion, Edna Kiplagat was asked on how her preparations have gone she said : “This year I believe I did my best in training. Last year my training was too short. Everything has gone well and I will do my best on Sunday.” 

Mergia, who recently returned to racing after having a baby said: “I trained very hard for the Dubai Marathon and I was very happy to win in Dubai. It was hard to shed weight after childbirth. My life has changed for good and I am happy. I look up to the likes of Tirunesh Dibaba who is also a mum, so it is not unusual to be a mum and race.”  Florence Kiplagat who was second at the London Marathon said: “I am very ready”

Jeptoo whose 7-year old son has joined her in London for the race said: “My preparation has gone well and my son being here makes it easy.”  Mary Keitany who is a two-time winner of the London Marathon said: “ First of all I want to thank God because I have been out since London 2012.  I think I am fit enough to race on Sunday.”  Mary who was expecting when she ran in London is also looking forward to Rio.

Edna, who owns a chicken farm, was asked about the possibility of winning her third gold in the marathon at the World Championships she said “ I want to focus first on this race on Sunday.”

The elite athletes train together and it is thought that sometimes it could affect their judgment and performances during a race. However Keitany begs to differ.  “I will be running my own race. A race is a race.” She said.  

Edna Kiplagat is coached by her husband and was asked how this could affect things. “He is friendly and understands what I need to do.  He was also a runner. He knows what an athlete needs to do including nutrition.  He knows what I need and is a good person that I like in my life.”

Mary Kiplagat also got some help from her husband. “My husband is a pacemaker and he assisted me after childbirth. I love my family. “

All five athletes paid tribute to British long distance runner Paula Radcliffe and acknowledged the role she played in their careers.   Edna said: ”She was been a great athlete and very inspirational.  She has held the world record for so long and that is what we are going for. She has done well in her life.”  Jeptoo said: “Paula is a great runner. She did not fear anything and was ready to push. We have to have the motivation.”

Keitany said: “I would have loved to run with Paula. She has ran many races well and has made history.”  And Florence said: “I remember in London during the Olympics. We were about to race and she had a chat with me.”