Athens, Nov 8 (IANS): Kenyan runner Dennis Kimetto says he is keen to participate in the Athens Marathon Sunday, and add to his burgeoning trophy cabinet.

"May I return to Greece and be awarded again? All the marathon runners want to compete in the Classic Marathon in Athens," Xinhua quoted him as saying.

Kimetto and compatriot Florence Kiplagat were awarded with the Best Marathon Runner Award for 2014 by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) at a special gala event here Friday.

"I am very happy to be in Greece and feel very proud to be voted by AIMS. I hope to keep the high performance and win more medals in great sport events," Kimetto said.

Kimetto broke the world marathon record in September in Berlin and became the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours and three minutes.

Beyond the elite athletes, 35,000 runners from across the world will take part in the 32nd "Authentic" Athens Classic Marathon.