Kenya: Longosiwa to Lead Chiba Ekiden Squad

Nairobi — Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa will once again lead the Kenyan team for next month’s annual Chiba International Marathon in Japan as they bid to retain the title won last year.

Longosiwa, who won the bronze medal in the men’s 5,000m in London, will be joined by veterans two-time World Cross Country junior gold winner, Philip Mosima, the 2008 World Cross Country bronze medalist, Lucas Rotich and Dominic Musyimi in the men’s line-up.

Kenya completed the course in 2:04:40 for victory last year where Longosiwa ran the opening leg with Mosima returning to the competition for the first time since 2004 when the country finished second to Ethiopia.

London finalist and Africa Cross Country champion Joyce Chepkurui will have a chance to redeem herself after failing to finish the 10,000m at the Olympics after she was named in the women’s line-up.

The versatile Chepkurui who made her marathon debut in London in April won her country the silver medal at last year’s All Africa Games competing in the 1,500m event.

Former World Junior champion Veronica Nyaruai, Gladys Cherono and Helen Musyoka complete the Kenyan team for the marathon relay set for the Nov. 23 event that is immensely popular in the Asian nation.

“The athletes must confirm their acceptance to participate by latest Oct. 24 for the purposes of putting final logistics in place,” a statement from the federation said.

The event has been a mixed race since 2007 when Kenya won the men and women double with among others, two-time world champion Catherine Ndereba in the team.

SQUAD

1. Thomas Longosiwa

2. Veronica Nyaruai

3. Philip Mosima

4. Gladys Cherono

5. Lukas Rotich

6. Joyce Chepkurui

7. Helen Musyoka

8. Dominic Musyimi

Officials

David Miano – Team Leader

Florence Kerubo Omondi – Official

Daniel Kiptoo Kororia – Coach