Viola Cheptoo returning to Boston targeting better results

With nine women who have run under 2:20, led by Ethiopian Amane Beriso who won the 2022 Valencia Marathon in 2:14:58, lining up for Monday’s Boston Marathon, returnee Viola Cheptoo has her work cut out.

The 34-year-old says she is going back to Boston strong and excited for what comes out of her training.

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“I am feeling strong. It is always a tough field, but I feel really good about the training I have put in and I’m excited to see it come to fruition on race day. This training block has gone really well for me and has left me with great confidence going into Boston,” she told women’s running ahead of the race.

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, winner of 2019 New York City Marathon and 2021 London Marathon, as well as 2017 and 2021 Boston Marathon winner Edna Kiplagat, are among the other big names competition as is Hellen Obiri who was a late inclusion.

Her marathon debut at the 2021 New York City Marathon saw her finish a close second to Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir. Her time of 2:22:44 was the third-fastest time in the race’s history. In 2022, Cheptoo finished sixth (2:23:47) in her debut Boston Marathon and fifth at New York (2:25:34).

“My first Boston Marathon was very exciting but left me wanting more as I came so close to the medals. The experience informed my training for this year, showing me what I needed to work on, and I am feeling more prepared this time around.

It was hard to prepare for the demands of the course on my first time racing it, the downhill and uphill sections really do test your legs and sap your energy! Now I know what’s coming, I’ll be able to focus much more on my running,” she added.