NAIROBI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Pauline Korikwiang will return to Spain hoping to win the Valencia Half Marathon in her second attempt on Sunday.
Korikwiang, 30, was beaten to second place at the Valencia 15km road race in June, posting a fastest time of 47:57.
However, she hopes that she has the energy to add another cut to her collections after winning the Bucharest Half Marathon with a time of 70:07 in May.
She leads five other Kenyans in the race including Edith Chelimo, Risper Chebet, Diana Chemutai, Mary Wacera (the world half marathon bronze medalist) Caroline Rotich and Ines Chenonge.
"I have done well in training and am certain to do well in Valencia. This is part of my preparations for the World Championships, where I hope to do well in the 10,000m race," Korikwiang said on Thursday.
The Kenyans will have to face stiff challenges from the Ethiopian delegation led by Kajela Diriba, Helen Tola and Gelete Burka.
In the men's race, defending champion Abraham Cheroben of Bahrain will strive to defend his title against an elite team of 30 athletes with 14 of them having run under 60 minutes. Cheroben won last year's race clocking 59:11.
The Kenyan challenge will be led by Jorum Okombo Lumbasi (58:48), Solomon Yego (58:44), Mangata Ndiwa (59:09), Abraham Kiptum (59:09) and Josphat Boit (59:19) with the Ethiopian brigade led by Yemal Yimer (59:00), Belihu Berta (59:51) and Getaneh Molla (60:18).
