NAIROBI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Former world marathon bronze medallist Sharon Cherop of Kenya will seek to revive her career in Rome against a strong challenge from defending champion Rahma Tusa of Ethiopia.

The Rome marathon, which will be held on April 8, is an IAAF silver label road race.

Cherop, who has been struggling to hit the top form that saw her win the 2012 Boston marathon, wants to use the race as a stepping stone in her quest to secure a slot in the Kenyan team to the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

"I am feeling fit now after struggling for some time. But it will not be easy to compete against some top runners, but this is what you expect at this level of competition," she said on Wednesday.

A knee injury was part of Cherop's loss of form, but the 34-year-old wants one more shot at the top tier marathon and Rome's performance will likely open up the opportunities for her. She holds a personal best time of 2:22:28.

However, the challenge presented by reigning two-time champion Tusa (2:25:12) who is eyeing her third straight victory, will be massive.

There is also another Kenyan in the frame as Angela Tanui (2:26:31) seeks to spoil the party. Tusa, 24, clocked 2:28:49 in 2016 and 2:27:21 last year. A third victory will equal the feat of her countrywoman Firehiwot Dado, who ran to titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The leading contenders in the men's race are Kenyan Jafred Chirchir Kipchuma and Ethiopian Girmay Birhanu, who hold identical personal best times of 2:05:48.

Ethiopians Dejene Gonfa Debela (2:07:10) and Birhanu Gedefa Chimdesa (2:08:03) are also expected to challenge.

A total of 14,100 runners have registered for the marathon, which this year celebrates its 24th edition.