NAIROBI, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Mary Keitany will skip the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in order to make history as the first woman to win five New York Marathon titles in six attempts.
Keitany, who edged out compatriot and Olympic champion Vivian Cheruiyot to clinch her fourth crown in 2018, will be joined by the men's champion Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa on the streets of New York on November 3.
"New York has become a second home to me, and every year I circle the New York City Marathon on my calendar as a date to look forward to," Keitany said on Wednesday from Eldoret.
"I'm very excited to return on November 3 to race for my fifth New York City Marathon title on my favorite course in the world," the world record holder added.
Last year, Keitany became the second woman after Grete Waitz of Norway to win in New York four times, recording the second-fastest time in the event history in two hours 22 minutes and 48 seconds for her fourth win in five years.
The 2012 and 2016 winner of the World Marathon Majors will be challenged this year by reigning Boston marathon champion Worknesh Degefa, Tokyo marathon winner Ruti Aga, New York Half champion Joyceline Jepkosgei and America's Olympian Des Linden.
Jepkosgei made her full marathon debut in London, but developed some injury, which saw her fail to finish the race in April. However, she is not giving up and will return to New York to prove she is worth the distance.
Another Kenyan Nancy Kiprop, a three-time winner of Vienna City marathon, will seek to improve her stakes. The 40-year-old is upbeat ahead of the race.
"I am looking forward to my first big city marathon debut in New York City. This will culminate to reward my years of hard work, learning and growth," Kiprop said.
The men's race will feature defending champion Desisa, who won his first New York City Marathon title last year in 2:05:59, the second-fastest time in event history.
Runner-up Shura Kitata will be back again this year to challenge Desisa, as will 2017 New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, who finished third last year.
"I'm looking forward to defending my title in November and lining up against Shura Kitata, who finished just two seconds behind me last year, and Kamworor, who won the race two years ago," Desisa said.
