NAIROBI, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former Barcelona marathon champion Valarie Jemeli says she is ready to rekindle her career when she faces international competition at Sunday's Beijing marathon in China.
Jameli, who has not raced since finishing second at the Nagoya marathon in March where she clocking 2:22:48 behind Ethiopian Meskerem Assefa (2:21.45) is hopeful to eclipse the women's course record in the Chinese capital on Sept. 16.
"I have tested my speed and am happy with it. I competed in the 10km Safaricom road race in Iten and won. My training has gone on very well and as I focus on Beijing, I hope to do well and win the title," Jemeli said Tuesday in Nairobi.
Jemeli, who is also the Berlin marathon bronze medalist, is leaving nothing to chance as she prepares for her biggest race this year in Beijing.
"It was important to see how my body reacts under competition atmosphere. My preparations for Beijing marathon are complete without any injury scare and I know I have the strength to fight off any challenger and win the title," she told Xinhua.
It will be Jemeli's first attempt to win the Beijing marathon. Last year, she skipped the tour to China to attempt fast time at the Berlin marathon, but was forced to settle for bronze medal.
Jemeli will however have to face off against defending champion Meselech Beyene of Ethiopia. Beyene, who has won two marathons in China, is returning to defend her title.
"I didn't expect to win last year," Beyene said last year when she won the race, her first at the Chinese capital.
"I thank all the supporters because the atmosphere was so good, so amazing. I hope I can come back next year."
However, for Jemeli, the long term goal is to win and increase her chances of making the Kenya team to the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019.
"It is always hard to make the Kenya team. I have the opportunity to win in Beijing and increase my chances. It is not down to me, but when I do well in China, it will boost my ranking and hope the coaches will give the chance to run for the country," she added.
The Beijing marathon has received the IAAF Gold Label Road Race award, and is one of three marathons in China to receive the distinction with the others being Xiamen and Shanghai marathons.
