NAIROBI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Former Boston marathon champion Sharon Cherop said Saturday that she will take no prisoners as she seeks to recapture her title on Monday on her return to the United States.

Cherop, who has been out of big city marathon for over a year, returns after her maternity leave, hopeful she will weather the challenge of younger stars keen to stake claim to the title.

Cherop singled out Paris Marathon champion Betsy Saina as a main threat.

"I will be running my first major marathon after maternity leave and I want to finish in a podium position. I have done enough build up training for the race because I know the course is tough," said Cherop.

Two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, who last won in Boston in 2017, Paris champ Betsy Saina, 2015 Boston Marathon champion Caroline Rotich and debutant Mary Wacera will be all flying high the Kenyan flag.

But Cherop believes she has shaken off her rust from maternity leave as shown during her win at the Eldoret Marathon last year.

"I am ready, and will do everything to reclaim the title. At this stage of competition, everyone is a star and it is about your own strategy, strength and mental power that carry the day," she added.