Kenyan long-distance runner Peres Jepchirchir says she is aiming for a podium finish at Sunday, 30 August’s Sydney Marathon, having fully recovered from an unspecified stress fracture that kept her out of action for majority of the year.Download our MozzartSport App For More NewsJepchirchir, 32, is the headline name in a strong elite women’s field, that will look to tackle the Australian World Athletics Platinum Label road race, which is also part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.##NAJAVA_MECA_9922037##“I’m heading to Australia well prepared,” the 2021 Olympic Games champion told Nation Sport on Thursday, 27 August, just before jetting out of the country. “I know the race shall be competitive, but I will do my best to run an impressive race and finish in the top three.”With a personal best time of 2:14:43, Jepchirchir is the fastest runner in what has been described by organizers as “the strongest elite field ever assembled on Australian soil.”Why Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from Berlin MarathonDespite carrying that tag, however, the reigning world champion is on the comeback trail, having not raced competitively so far this year, due to injury.Jepchichir, whose last race was the Valencia Marathon in December last year, has for the better part of 2026 been recovering from the aforementioned stress fracture sustained in Spain, which subsequently also forced her to pull out of this year’s London Marathon in April.Kenyan athlete latest to drop out of London MarathonAddressing the injury, Jepchirchir said: “I expected it would heal before the London Marathon this year but it was all in vain. We had to cancel London and continue with the healing process.”Now up to full health, two-time World Half Marathon champion is looking forward to tackling in one of the world’s most scenic marathon courses, for the very first time in her career.Wanyonyi, Cherotich shine as Kenyans dominate Zurich Diamond League“After missing the London Marathon in April, we decided with my manager to go for Sydney,” Jepchirchir said. “I don’t know much about the course, but I will tackle the road as I always do; with my eyes on a top finish.”Among her challengers come Sunday will be a Kenyan-dominated cast, which will include: Irine Cheptai, Vivian Cheruiyot, Sharon Chelimo, Priscah Cherono, Joyce Tele, and Jackline Cherono.On the international field, Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri, and the Ethiopian trio of Shure Demise, Ruti Aga and Haven Hailu, will also be of particular interest to Jepchirchir.