Kenya’s Kiplagat searches for victory in second home

LONDON – Kenyan marathon world champion Edna Kiplagat loves London and after a disappointing Olympic performance wants to finally last taste victory in the city she considers a second home.Kiplagat is one of the favourites for Sunday’s London Marathon having finished third in 2011 and second last year, both times behind winner Mary Keitany who is not competing. “London is one of my favourite races, it’s one of my favourite cities,” Kiplagat told Reuters on Thursday.“I enjoy the shops, the community is good, the preparation are fantastic so I enjoy racing here in London. The crowds are very supportive.“The people here in London are very nice, it’s like a second home for us as always when we come here, we don’t feel like we are visitors, we feel like we are coming home,” added the 33-year-old.After the race, Kiplagat and her husband Gilbert will enjoy something of a busman’s holiday as they travel to Wiltshire in the west of England to visit a farm.Kiplagat’s previous marathon was in London, at the 2012 Olympics, but things did not go to plan and she faded badly in the latter stages to finish 20th.The Olympic title went to little-known Ethiopian Tiki Gelana who upset the Kenyan favourites when she held off Priscah Jeptoo to win by just five seconds.Both athletes have returned to London and this time the spotlight is very much on Gelana although she does not feel under any extra pressure.

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Kenya’s Kiplagat searches for victory in second home