Pocket Rocket Vivian eyes dream Olympic Marathon debut

London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot is training her guns on her much awaited Olympics marathon debut in Japan 2020 following a tremendous 2018.

The soft-spoken 2016 Olympic 5,000m champion bagged this year’s London Marathon in April at her second attempt and besides her target to defend the latter next year, Cheruiyot is eyeing Olympics marathon medal in Tokyo.

“My plans next year of course are to defend London Marathon and then see whether I will participate in World Championship but my main target is Olympic Games in Japan … It will be my first Olympic Marathon and I am really looking ahead to be part of Kenyan team,” Cheruiyot told Citizen Digital in an  interview.

The 2011 World Cross Country champion revealed she was struggling with a thigh injury few weeks before the New York Marathon hence she did not win her gold medal target.

She finished behind champion and compatriot Mary Keitany who clocked 2:22:52 with the former coming second in a time of 2:26:02.

“I was struggling with an injury for close to one month and I did not prepare well before the race although Mary was very powerful and I knew she was well versed with that course,” she averred.

At the same time, the 35-year-old who was among the guests who graced the first 2018/2019 Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series held in Machakos County last weekend, urged young athletes to keep off doping and run ‘clean’.

“I have been running close to 20 years now and I have never thought of using anything to boost my capability so I would like to advice young athletes to keep off the vice at all cost. Discipline and patience is everything,” she added.

In the London Marathon in April, the Keiyo born star crossed the finish line with a personal best of two hours, 18 minutes and 31 seconds.

The 35-year old shifted from track last year claiming fourth position overall in her maiden full marathon in London before winning her first one in Frankfurt last year in October.