Last year after the Foot Locker National Championships, Mohamed Trafeh said that he would return to win this year's race. Backing off from such a bold statement, Trafeh spoke about his chances in this year's Foot Locker Championships on the eve of the race.

Mohamed Trafeh (Photo: Alison Wade/New York Road Runners)

Ricky Quintana: Are you feeling better this year?
Mohamed Trafeh: Yes, much better.

RQ: Last year, you mentioned that you wanted to come here and win.
MT: This year, it's going to be a little tougher than I expected. It's anybody's race.

RQ: Who do you think the top competitors are going to be?
MT: There are at least three guys from each region. There's going to be a lot of people going at it.

RQ: Are you going to run this race any differently than you did last year?
MT: Well, I have a different strategy, but I'm not going to, you know...I'm just going to try and not let anyone relax, [I'll try to] keep the pace realistic.

RQ: I see you've been running with Shadrack Kiptoo a little bit in the pre-race run today. Have you talked about the race much?
MT: Yeah, we've talked about the race and the strategy and everything. We're going to have almost the same strategy, but whoever wins it wins it. Whoever is stronger, who ever is faster will win it.

RQ: Last year, you talked about Ramadan having an effect on your race. Have you done anything differently during Ramadan to prepare you for this race?
MT: Ramadan kind of messes you up. I was in good shape before Ramadan. But when Ramadan came, I got confused with what kind of shape I was in. It was hard to do high mileage. I was doubling, so I started to do singles. I just trained right before I would eat, not a lot of difference.

RQ: Do you feel any different this year compared to last?
MT: I feel much better. Last year, I was younger, but I've matured and it's getting easier and easier. The weather was nice during Ramadan. The day was short so I think it was easier this year.

RQ: What kind of time do you think will win this race?
MT: I don't know. They might go out in 5:00, if they go out slow or 4:30-something and they'll run fast. I can't really tell you.