Nairobi, Oct 21 (IANS): World Marathon Champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya is determined to win the New York City Marathon Nov 2, the final event of 2014 World Marathon Majors (WMM).

"I still want to excel and maybe improve my timing in New York. The course is tough and the competition stiffer but I am not bothered by it," she said Monday, reports Xinhua.

In New York, she will be up against Mary Keitany in the 42 km race. Others competitors will be Buzunesh Deba and Firehiwot Dado, both from Ethiopia (winner in 2011), and Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia.

"Keitany is strong and even though she is returning from maternity leave, her two races in Canada and England have proved she is on the right track. It will be a battle," she said.

In the men's race, former world record-holder Wilson Kipsang will spearhead a packed field featuring three past champions, including two-time defending champion and course record-holder Geoffrey Mutai.

Kipsang, in his first appearance in New York, will also face a challenge from Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia (winner in 2010), and American Meb Keflezighi.