Kenya: Mutai On List

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

5 May 2011

Athletics Kenya have named Boston marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai in their provisional team for the World championships in Daegu despite the athlete declaring he was not interested in running in the South Korean city.

Announcing the team yesterday AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat suggested Mutai’s latest statement about Daegu may have been influenced by his agent.

Kiplagat revealed Mutai had been quite eager to run at the world championships before his heart-stopping Boston Marathon run that stopped the clock at 2:03.02, the world’s all time best for a marathon. “Mutai was serious about taking part in the world championship. But somewhere along the line the agent must have told him to withdraw his candidature for the event,” Kiplagat opined.

Earlier this week, Mutai requested he be not considered for Daegu because the course was unlucky for him, having run on it several times before.

Kiplagat however said there is adequate time for Mutai to run in the Daegu marathon which is in August.”There is adequate time to run and am asking those who have ran in London and Boston to rest and prepare for the world championship,” Kiplagat said.

The rest of the men’s squad for Daegu includes Boston marathon runner-up Moses Mosop (2:03:06), London champion Emanuel Mutai (2:04:40), Rotterdam winner Wilson Chebet (2:05:27) and runner-up Vincent Kipruto (2:05:33).

Others are London champion Martin Lel (2:05:45), third placed Patrick Makau Musyoki (2:05:45). Paris winner Benjamin Kiptoo (2:06:31), Boston sixth placed Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (2:06:43).

In the women’s category are London champion Mary Keitany (2:19:19) with New York champion Edna Kiplagat (2:20:46) who was also third in London. Boston marathon champion Caroline Kilel (2:22:36) and third placed finisher Sharon Cherop (2:22:42) also made the list.

Paris champion Prisca Cheptoo (2:22:55), former junior champion Lydia Cheromei (2:23:01), Rotterdam winner Philes Ongori who made her mark in the 10,000m is also in with her 2:24:20 timing.

Others include Caroline Rotich who was fourth in Boston (2:24:20), alongside Agnes Kiprop (2:24:43) who came second in Paris. Alice Timbilil (2:26:34) came home ninth in Boston.Five marathoners will be selected from the team of ten. Coaches will be named later. Kiplagat has also invited athletes not keen in participating at the world event to write a letter to the federation by next week.

AllAfrica – All the Time