Russia's Tatyana Petrova, the 3000m steeplechase silver medallist at the 2007 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan, is all set to prove her mettle at the New York City Marathon on 1 November.Inspired by her team-mate Liliya Shobukhova's remarkable win at last week's Chicago Marathon, Petrova is aiming for an improvement in her career best mark in New York City.
"I was very happy for Liliya when I saw her winning in Chicago. We always support each other, it is a great motivation for me," Petrova was quoted as saying.
Petrova, 3000m steeplechase silver medallist at 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, will run her fifth career Marathon in New York City. Her best stands at 2:25:53, registered during her fourth place finish at the Dubai Marathon in January 2009.
After an intensive training session in Kislovodsk, Russia, under the tutelage of her new coach and Marathon expert Mikhail Kuznetsov, Petrova is ready for the challenges ahead.
However, in New York City, she will face stiff opposition from Kenyan Boston Marathon winner Salina Kosgei and three-time champion Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain.
Radcliffe, who enjoyed her first triumph at the event in 2004, is currently recovering from a bout of tonsilitis which denied her the chance to chase a fourth IAAF World Half Marathon title in Birmingham.
Meanwhile Petrova has already set her sights on the 2010 European Athletics Championships to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from 26 July to 1 August. Instead of her regular 3000m Steeplechase, Petrova is planning to compete in the 10000m in Barcelona.
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