NAIROBI, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Three-time World Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor's season may turn out to be very memorable if he clinches gold in two events he has confirmed participation - the World Championships and New York marathon.
Kamworor, 26, will make another attempt to win gold at the 10,000m race at the World Championships, which will be held in Doha, Qatar from September 30 to October 6.
However, he is also keen to reclaim the New York City Marathon title on November 3.
Kamworor, who won in New York City with his second appearance in 2017, said he wants to make his fourth appearance this year memorable. Other Kenyans in the race are Stephen Sambu and Albert Korir.
"New York has always been important to me and I will be targeting victory, having gained enough experience over the distance," Kamworor said on Saturday.
However, he is really excited to have the chance to end Kenya's long wait to win gold in the 10,000m race at the World Championships.
Kamworor was runner-up in Beijing worlds in 2015 and sixth in London in 2017. Now he believes it will be third time lucky to end the jinx and win Kenya the gold, which was last won by Charles Kamathi back in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada.
"It will be the third time I attempt to run the 10,000m race at the World Championships. But the important thing first is to make the Kenyan team and then start to strategize on how to attack it. For now I am focused on training," said Kamworor.
Kenya will select its 10,000m team this month to give them enough time to recover. It will also enable athletes targeting to double in 5,000m and 10,000m to do so without additional pressure.
"Athletics Kenya has taken these requests into consideration and will therefore hold this event in September to give the athletes an opportunity to compete in these leagues and gain points for the finals. The event will be by invitation only," Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei said.
In the women's race, Kenya will have defending champion Mary Keitany, who will be eyeing her fifth win, together with World Half Marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, Mary Wacera (2:28:33) and Vienna champion Nancy Kiprop (2:22:12).
