Sheila Chepkurui speaks after withdrawing from Boston Marathon

Valencia Marathon bronze medalist Sheila Chepkirui will not be making her second appearance in the classic distance on Monday 17 April at the Boston Marathon as expected as she withdrew from the race.

The Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) athlete will, however, be on the start line for London Marathon set for 23 April, six days after her planned Boston debut.

“I had issues securing a US Visa well in time to travel for the marathon so I had to withdraw. I had prepared well for Boston but I have had to switch my mind to London, having managed to be included as a late entrant,” the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medalist offered.

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Despite the two courses being different, Chepkirui believes the change could be a blessing in disguise as she has been going hard in training for the hilly Boston course and that has boosted her endurance in a major way as she shifts her focus to London.

“It was not difficult to change from training for Boston to London. The distance is the same, with a slightly different course. I knew two weeks ago that I would be competing in London so I have already switched my training and prepared mentally for the London course,” she further explained.

A 2:17:29 runner, the 32-year-old says she is targeting a personal best on the streets of London in her second marathon since her debut in Valencia.

“London has one of the deepest fields and I will be up against some of the biggest names so I am readying for a fast race. This is good for me as I can target a PB,” she said.

She goes up against a deep field that has compatriot Peres Jepchirchir making a return to London seeking to extend her unbeaten run, which has seen her win two major marathons since taking the Olympic title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The defending champion Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia and world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei are on the starting list as is reigning Olympic 10,000m and 5000m champion Sifan Hassan who is making her marathon debut.