Press Release - London Marathon - 4/21/23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 Pre-race quotes - international elite women
				 
The leading women's contenders described feeling a mixture of nerves and 
excitement ahead of the 2023 TCS London Marathon where the greatest ever 
field for the elite women's race will assemble.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH)

"My preparations have gone very well. I am so happy to be back in London. 
It is a beautiful city and a great competition. I really want to defend my 
title.

"With so many great athletes in the field I hope we can run a course 
record, or even the world record. God willing, I will win again.

"I am in good shape and focused. But I will need to be even better this 
year.

"If I get a chance to run at the World Championships [in Budapest this 
August] I will do it. But it depends on the selectors."

Sifan Hassan (NED)

"I don't watch many marathons, but I always watch London because it is like 
a championship race - you never know who's going to win till the end.

"It is my first marathon so I can't really say how I will do. I don't have 
a time in mind, or a place. I just want to finish the race and see what 
happens.

"I haven't changed my training too much; I've just added longer runs. I am 
keeping the same training for the track as I still want to run 5000m and 
10,000m. I don't know about the marathon. We will see after Sunday.

"I won't do the marathon at the World Championships, but maybe I'll do 
another one at the end of the year. I really enjoy the marathon training 
but I really enjoy track too. I love everything.

"I've already been nervous for a month. To be honest, I am scared of the 
marathon. I don't know whether I will finish or not, but I'm also very 
curious. Everything will be going through my mind, but it will be better 
next time.

"I am excited to be in front of the crowds, but also nervous. Sometimes I 
wake up and think 'Why the hell did I decide to run a marathon?'

"I don't have any time in mind. My goal is just to finish and see what 
happens, to learn about the marathon and be part of it."

Peres Jepchirchir (KEN)

"This is my dream race. I have always said I want to run the London 
Marathon, so I'm delighted to be here at last.

"I can see the team is very strong. So, if the weather is good, I think the 
[world] record can go on Sunday.

"I do the same training for all my marathons. Training has been good since 
January. Everything has gone very well, and I hope on Sunday my body 
responds and the result will come.

"I had an injury in my gluteus when preparing for the New York Marathon 
[last November], but now I am healed and all is good."

Brigid Kosgei (KEN)

"I am happy to be here. I am well prepared but some weeks back I had a 
hamstring injury. I don't think it is too bad, so I decided to come. I 
think it is getting better.

"The field is very strong and everyone wants to be a winner here. It will 
be a struggle till the last moments. May the best one win."

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