2003 ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
Catherine Ndereba Pre-Race Quotes

Reported by Gordon Bakoulis

CATHERINE NDEREBA STATS: Hometown: Nyeri, Kenya Coach: Mustafa Necchadi Height: 5 feet, 2 inches Weight: 98 pounds

Catherine Ndereba at the 2003 New York Mini.

On running the 2003 ING New York City Marathon:
I thank God for being here. Were it not for the hand of the Lord, nobody would have come this far. I've never done three marathons in a year, but I am trusting in God. He is my keeper, holding me in his right hand. For those not running, I know you will be praying for us.

On the weather:
I am not at all worried about it. The Lord controls everything on earth and in heaven. I am doubly sure he will give us wonderful weather on Sunday.

On running three marathons in one year:
I felt so good after the World Championships that I feel s [running three marathons in a year] is something God is helping me to do. Running this race is like a dream is going to come true for me. What I'm looking for is to beat the time that I ran in 1999 (2:27:34).

Q: What would it mean to win New York, having won Boston and Chicago?
I guess it will mean a lot. No one has ever won [the World Championships], Boston, Chicago and New York, so I guess it will mean a lot.

On the Olympic Games:
I am definitely on the team!

Q: Does it help to have a strong field here?
It is very helpful. When you run alone, you think you are doing your best, but you are not. So it is very good to have others who will go fast.

Q: What about Margaret Okayo, who has the course record here and who beat you in Boston in 2002?
I know everyone is well prepared for this race but I don't care. I know I'm working in God's favor, so I don't have any competitors.

Q: Can you predict how fast you will run?
If my ship is good, I'm hoping God will keep me healthy until Sunday. God willing, whatever help he can give to me, I'll be happy.

Q: Why three marathons in a year?
I just think it is good to come back to New York. I am not really thinking about making history by being the first woman to win Boston, Chicago, and New York.

Q: What have you been doing in training since the World Championships?
I rested for two weeks, then I did normal marathon training but no high mileage, and in the last month, I have done speedwork. I arrived in New York last (Monday) night.

Q: Can you describe your spiritual inspiration?
Without God, I can't do anything. He controls everything. In Isaiah 40:31 it says, When I walk, I will never get tired. I will walk and run like an eagle. I don't take my running for granted. The day after the World Championships I was not tired, I wasn't sore. I don't know why!

On the 2004 Olympic Games:
I consider it the best time in my career to do a marathon, to win a medal at the Olympics. I have been fighting to be in the Olympics. Maybe my God didn't want me to be in the Olympics before. Now is the time for me to be there.

Q: Why are you running New York?
New York is well known all over the world. Everyone wants to do New York. It's something that means a lot. To be honest, I didn't know about the marathon until 1998. People would say, "When are you going to do a marathon? I think you would be a good marathoner." When I decided to do my first marathon, it was out of disappointment. I was in good shape to do the World Cross Country, but unfortunately I was not selected [for the team]. I was so mad I didn't know what to do.

On her training setup:
I've been with the group in Philadelphia, this is my tenth year. I do all my training by myself. When my husband is here, I train with him. After my first marathon, in Boston, I decided I was a marathoner. I was just hoping to finish. I didn't expect to run under 2:30 and I ran 2:28:27. At the finish I felt like I was the winner!

On her family and work:
My daughter can't make it to the marathon this year because her school is not finished. She is in school in Nairobi. My husband is coming Thursday. My sisters will take care of our daughter. I still work for the prison system as a telephone operator when I am not running. I just work because I love to work. I don't work very often; I just normally make appearances. When I don't have to work, I don't work.

Q: Is it hard to be a celebrity in Kenya?
Most of the time it is good, but sometimes people drive you crazy. And you know, when you are a big name, you may have friends, but you also have enemies. I am protected by the blood of Jesus, but you never know.

Q: Is it hard to be away from your daughter?
It is quite hard to be away from her, but it is my career and I have to sacrifice. If I have nothing to sacrifice, I have nothing to gain.