World Marathon Majors champion Gete Wami is determined to return to winning ways over the marathon distance in New York next Sunday.
Wami is adamant despite the presence of defending champion Paula Radcliffe and Olympic silver medallist Catherine Ndereba, she can atone for her recent lapse in form over the distance.
The 33-year-old Ethiopian lost a thriller in the Big Apple to Radcliffe 12 months ago and a heavy fall in her next outing in London last April, saw her finish third.
She then failed to finish the recent Olympic marathon in Beijing troubled with stomach problems and dropping out at around 18 miles.
However, bolstered with a solid success at the Bupa Great North Run at the beginning of the month where she set a lifetime half marathon personal best, Wami feels she is ready to challenge seriously the New York crown.
Wami, joint leader with Germany's Irina Mikitenko in the latest WMM rankings, has the further incentive of knowing that a win will guarantee her another US dollars 500,000 pay day.
"I'll be ready to give my very best in New York," said Wami who was troubled by a hamstring problem during her GNR victory where she clocked a fast one hour eight minutes 51 seconds.
"It won't prevent me from training and I'm looking forward to the race," she insisted.
"I always enjoy racing against Paula as she makes the race tough every time."