NAIROBI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Defending Guangzhou Marathon champion Dickson Kipsang Tuwei has ruled out defending his title at this year's event in the southern Chinese city on December 9.

The 26-year-old says he has not recovered in time after competing at the Shanghai Marathon where he finished third, clocking 2:09:21.

"I am still resting and recovering from the grueling Shanghai Marathon. I love running in China and my plan was to win in Shanghai, but unfortunately, I was not strong enough to compete for the victory and had to settle for the bronze medal," he said on Saturday.

However, Tuwei believes Kenya will have a strong representation in Guangzhou, with Edwin Kipngetich Koech hoping to win on his second attempt at the distance, while veteran Georgina Rono will be lining up in the women's race.

26-year-old Koech, who set an Italian all-comers' record with a time of 2:07:13 in the Milan Marathon, took third place in Guangzhou last year, clocking 2:10:27.

"I have always dreamed of representing Kenya at the World Championships," said Koech. "I know I have a long way to go because Kenya always has strong runners. Winning in Guangzhou may be one step closer for me to attain my goal. But I have to be the best for me to stand any chance of gaining entry to the Kenya team."

Koech says he will target the course record of 2:10:01 set three years ago by Morocco's Abdellah Tagharrafet, which Tuwei came within two seconds of last year.

In the women's race, Rono will need to help Kenya wrest the title from the grip of several Ethiopian runners, including Mulu Seboka, with whom Rono battled last year.

With a 2:21:39 personal best set five years ago, 2014 Hamburg Marathon winner Rono is the fastest woman on the Guangzhou entry list.

She won the Doha Marathon in January last year and clocked a season's best of 2:28:52 to finish third in Dongying in May 2017.

"There are younger runners coming through making it harder by the day," said Rono. "But I always focus on my training and my own strength in entering these international competitions. I believe I still have something to offer and that is winning."

Rono's compatriot Anne Cheptanui Bererwe is also among the favorites in Guangzhou. The 35-year-old improved her best time by more than one minute to finish second in Chongqing in March in 2:27:18.

This will be the second edition of the Guangzhou Marathon after it was updated to an IAAF Silver Label race.