NAIROBI, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Jackson Kibet Limo of Kenya has warned he is in top form and ready to challenge the course record of 2:09:51 set by Philemon Baaru at Sunday's Porto marathon in Portugal.

Limo, who holds a best time of 2:09.06, wants to improve his mark and boost his chances of making the Kenya team to the World Championships in Qatar in 2019.

However, it will not be a walk in the pack for the Kenyan as there are other strong contenders such as Ethiopians Abraham Girma (2:06:48), second at the Copenhagen Marathon, Fikadu Bekede (2:09:37), winner in Rabat 2017, Daniel Deresxe (2:10:09), second at the Leiden marathon and Belete Mekonen (2:10:34), second in Madrid last year.

"These strong challengers will only help push the pace faster. That is why I feel am capable of breaking the course record and defend my title," said Limo on Saturday.

The Kenyan contingent, alongside Limo, includes Richard Limo (2:06:45), Kenneth Mburu Mungara (2:07:36), the 2018 Gold Coast winner and Mathhew Bowen (2:10.57). Ugandan Robert Chemonges (2:10:32), the winner in Dusseldorf this year and Eritrean Kibrom Weldemicael (2:09:36) could also be factors.

Kenya's Ezrah Sang, the winner of this year's Madrid Half Marathon (60:36) will be making his full marathon debut.

In the women's race the target is the 2:26:58 course record set by Kenyan Monica Jepkoech last year.

Leading the chase will be Ethiopians Mesekerem Abera Hunde (2:28:25), winner of the 2018 Wuham Marathon, Alemu Megertu (2:29:10), second at this year's Rabat Marathon, and Abeba-Tekulu Gebremeskel (2:30:18).