NAIROBI, Nov. 17 -- Former Tokyo Marathon champion Sarah Chepchirchir and Flomena Cheyech will lead Kenya's charge at the Shanghai International Marathon on Sunday.

The two will also try to taste the course record of 2:21:52 set by Tigist Tufa of Ethiopia three years ago. However, they must first prove their recovery after injuries dampened their forms in 2018.

Chepchirchir said in Nairobi she is eager to compete for the first time this year, hoping a good show in Shanghai will see her return to the World championships and Olympic Games in 2020.

"I want to see how my body will react after staying out for so long. I believe it will be important to win and prove my status again," said the 34-year-old.

"But it will not be about me alone, because we have other top runners who have the lust for victory. It will be down to how one is prepared on the day and strategy."

On the other hand, Cheyech, the former Commonwealth Games champion, has had a torrid season this year, only finishing the Nagoya Marathon in March in the 19th place with a slow time of 2:33:01.

"I have been out of competition for long because of the injury I got in Japan. But it has since healed and I am back in competition," said Cheyech after finishing second in 71:05 in the Eldoret Half Marathon in October.

But she said she is ready for Shanghai contest. "Shanghai is the next stop for me and hopefully I will be able to run well and win the gold medal."

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