Edna, who rose to the ranks of the world’s elite marathon runners with two superb wins last year, lends class to the IAAF Gold Label event, and she knows that a win here will be a great boost to her preparation for the bigger challenges ahead.
“The switch to 10K isn’t easy and the field here is strong, so I am a bit nervous,” said the 31-year-old Kenyan, who notched up important victories in the Los Angeles and New York marathons last year to make a name for herself on the world road-running circuit. Those wins have boosted her confidence, and in August, she is likely to be a strong contender at the World Championships in Korea.
“I am preparing with the Olympic Games in mind and this race is part of that process. We also have the World Championships coming up. Between now and the World Championships, it will give me a fair idea of where I stand,” said Edna.
Her win on a challenging New York course caught the eye of the athletics world and the Kenyan said she could feel the change, even though she herself has not changed much.
“I believe I have moved to another level with that win. I have received a lot of love and respect from my colleagues and compatriots after that win. I know realise that if I do well, it could open the door to more success,” she said.
From soccer to athletics
Hailing from Kenya’s Rift Valley that is home to some of the finest long-distance runners the world has seen, Edna’s first love was football. She was 15 when she switched to athletics and the change has brought her success, slowly at first, more rapidly now. After her New York win, she again was in the forefront in London in April this year but was beaten to second place by compatriot Mary Keitany in a fast race where she set a personal best of 2:20:46.
“The course in New York was tough but the London one was faster. I had changed my training, doing more speed work and that paid off in London,” she said. Married to another athlete, 2009 San Antonio marathon winner Gilbert Koech, Edna said her husband’s support was a key factor in her success.
“He has been a great support and he keeps motivating me,” said the mother of two, who herself is inspired by the deeds of former World Cross Country champion Lornah Kiplagat and Catherine Ndereba, the two-time Olympic silver medallist.
In her Olympic preparations, Edna is following the path laid out by the current champ, Constantina Dita. Dita ran the London marathon in April 2008 before clinching the Beijing title and Edna, who has the same manager as the Romanian, will try out the method this time for the Worlds before attempting it next season.
Though saddened by the death of fellow Kenyan and Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru, Edna refused to believe money might have been a factor. “It is really sad what happened to him,” said Edna. “But if you look at Paul Tergat and Haile Gebrselassie, you get great examples of athletes who have managed success well.”