Intro:

Defending Boston Marathon champions Lelisa Desisa and Rita Jeptoo spoke on Friday (18th April) ahead of the race on Easter Monday (21st April).

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Rita Jeptoo, 2013 Boston Marathon women's champion:

"When I was training for Boston again, my family told me, 'Wow, so again you are going to run in Boston?' and I said, 'Yes, I'm going to run in Boston.' (and they said), ' So what about the happening? What if there is a bombing again?' I say, 'No, there is no bombing, because that day was something that was not good. And I hope this year everything is well and I'm going to run my best.' God knows everything. A lot of people have (been) injured and I thank God because I wasn't injured from Boston."