NAIROBI, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan elite marathon runner Edna Kiplagat has been praised by an Athletics Kenya official for answering to the call of representing her country whenever national duty demands.

"When she was selected to be part of Kenya's squad at this year's World Athletics Championships set for Doha in late September and early October, she had a choice to say 'no' like other elite runners, but her response was a categorical 'yes'," said Barnaba Korir on Friday, who is in charge of youth development at Athletics Kenya.

Kiplagat, two-time women's marathon world champion, has consistently represented the east African nation in international competitions.

She finished second at this year's Boston Marathon in April and would have still be on the invitee's list of the remaining big marathon races.

She won gold medal at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea in 2011 and at the 2013 event in Moscow. She has also posted good results at other elite city marathons as well as several international events.

"There is pride that comes with donning national colors and competing for one's country and Kiplagat's case has been that of patriotism. Obviously this has not been the case with most runners who are driven by self-enrichment," Korir said. Enditem

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