NAIROBI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Former London marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru has recovered from a stomach problem that forced him to drop out of the Great North run in Newcastle and will be ready to challenge for honors at the New York marathon on Nov 4.
The 26-year-old has struggled since winning the London race in 2017, but believes his worst days are over as he intensifies his training in Nakuru in preparations for the New York marathon, where he eyes his first win in U.S. soil.
"I had a stomach infection during the Great North Run in September, which denied me the chance to win the race," said Wanjiru on Sunday in Nakuru.
"However, I'm back in training and fully focused on New York marathon in just a few weeks' time."
On Saturday, Wanjiru was in top form as he run over 35km with his group of training mates and believes he will increase the mileage as he approaches the November date.
Wanjiru has been a shadow of his former self this year as he failed to defend his crown in London, finishing seventh in a race that was won by Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge.
However, the 2016 Amsterdam champion believes he has what it takes to claim his maiden New York Marathon title.
"I look forward to running with the champion Geoffrey Kamworor and other world champions. I have no pressure going into the race and that is huge bonus to me," said Wanjiru.
"I'm very happy to be part of the elite team at the New York marathon. Training is going on well and I'm getting ready to make my debut in New York," he added.
The 26-year-old has a personal best time of 2:05:21, which he set in Amsterdam in 2016.
He was a surprise winner in London when he clocked a time of 2:05:48 for victory ahead of Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele in 2017.
However, he failed to show his best show when he returned to London for the World Marathon Championships last year, where he was eighth clocking 2:12:16.
He started the year with poor show in Houston half marathon, where he clocked 62:55 minutes in position 25.
He also ran in Netherlands over 10km. But it is the challenge he anticipates in New York that inspires him. Champion Geoffrey Kamworor will be the man to beat alongside Wanjiru.
There is also Boston Marathon bronze medalist Shadrack Biwott as well as American Bernard Lagat, who will be making his debut in the marathon.
