Two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui will line up at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Marathon seeking to impress Kenyan selectors ahead of the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, United States of America.
Kirui, who won the world titles in 2009 (Berlin) and 2011 (Daegu), said he wants to make history by running at a third world championships.
“I want to make history by running in as many world championships as possible," said Kirui, the 2012 Olympic Games silver medallist.
"I have started my journey and running in Abu Dhabi will be a great opportunity for me to prove that I am still capable of representing the country at the top level.”
The Abu Dhabi Marathon will be held on November 26 and the Mombasa-based Assistant Superintendent of Police is hoping for a perfect debut.
“I am hoping to dance again, in Abu Dhabi," said the former Chicago marathon champion. "It will be my debut on that course and despite being a while since I last competed, I harbour hopes that I will win the title... which will go a long way in helping my credentials for Oregon next year.”
Kirui, who trains alongside double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge at the Global Sports Communication, said the three weeks prior to the race will be crucial as he fine-tunes his preparations.
“The field will be crowded and the next three weeks will be key," said Kirui, who finished third at the 2007 Vienna City Marathon, timing 2:10:41 before winning the title the following year in 2:07:38
Kirui's recent outing was the Milano Marathon in June, where he finished 11th in a race where compatriot Titus Ekiru masterminded a Kenyan clean sweep alongside Reuben Kipyego and Barnabas Kiptum.
Kirui, a two-time London Marathon champion revealed that, in addition to winning the title, he will be keen to lower his personal best of 2:05:04, set during the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon, if the conditions permit.
Kirui will have compatriots Philemon Rono, the 2019 Toronto Marathon champion (2:05:00) and Barnabas Kiptum, the 2017 Buenos Aires and 2019 Hong Kong marathons winner (2:04:17), for company.
