NAIROBI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- World half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor has confirmed his next goal will be to win the Copenhagen Half Marathon on September 15 in Denmark.
In the past five years, Kamworor has been dominant on the half marathon scene. It all started in Copenhagen five years ago where he - somewhat surprisingly - won the 2014 world half marathon championships.
That performance has since thrust him into the upper echelons of road running and will seek to redeem himself after failing to defend his World Cross Country title on return to Denmark in March.
"I have my mind firmly on the World Championships. However, it will be great to return to Denmark and win the Copenhagen Half Marathon," he said on Friday from Eldoret.
On Sept. 15, Kamworor will return in the Danish capital not only aiming to win the Copenhagen Half Marathon but with a very clear mission to run faster and beat his own personal best of 58:54, which he clocked over six years ago in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.
Should he succeed in his mission, it will pull him closer to a lifetime dream of breaking the world record, which now stands at 58:18. Just 36 seconds faster than his previous mark.
"Over these past few years, Kamworor has become the biggest name in the world of running outside of full marathon distance. His achievements speak for themselves. The only thing missing on his resume now is probably a world record. Therefore, we are very excited that he has announced that he will be coming to Copenhagen to achieve a fast time," said the race organizers.
Kamworor was pre-favorite at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, earlier this year. However, he had to settle for third at that occasion.
However, in May he once again clearly demonstrated his current strength winning a big city race in Bern, Switzerland.
Now he is turning his focus towards the Copenhagen Half Marathon - one of his season highlights for 2019.
"It is always about the next competition for me," says Kamworor. "The medals I have won have always motivated me, but after I win a medal I forget about it and aim for the next goal. In some ways it is a bit like climbing a tree. When you climb up to the next branch you forget about the branch that you have left behind."
Despite his affinity for the World Cross Country Championships and World Half Marathon Championships, his growing bond with the New York City Marathon is also special.
After the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in October, Kamworor will have another shot at the New York Marathon in November and will look to reclaim his title.
