Kenya: Team Put On Hold

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

12 May 2011

Athletics Kenya (AK) will name the national marathon team on Sunday for the World Championships scheduled for August in Daegu, South Korea.

The team was due to be named yesterday but AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat shelved the exercise until Sunday, owing to what he termed as technical issues which had arisen in the course of the week. “Yes we were to name the team yesterday but technical issues have arisen and as the committee, we have decided to name the team by Sunday,” added Kiplagat. Kiplagat said there is adequate time for the team despite postponing the exercise yesterday, and noted that they must pick the best side for the world event.

“As I said earlier, choosing the team will not be easy as you are aware we are spoiled for choice. We have the best marathoners in the world and coming up with the final team boils down to very small details. But by this weekend, we will have the team list,” he added. The AK boss said they have a busy calendar ahead with the World Championships and All Africa Games top on their priority list.”This two events fall at the same time and as we pick the team, we must ensure we have the best to contest against the rest of the world,” he said. AK had selected provisional squad of ten athletes in both the men and women’s categories and were to reduce them to five on both side.

Boston marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai was named in the team despite his opposition to running in the event. Mutai, clocked 2:03:02 at the event in Boston marathon, had indicated that he is not keen to run in the World Championships because of the hard Daegu Marathon course. The rest of the men’s squad includes runner up at Boston Moses Mosop, who posted 2:03:06 in Boston, London Marathon champion Emannuel Mutai, who clocked 2:04:40, Rotterdam champion Wilson Chebet (2:05:27) and Vincent Kipruto (2:05:33), who was placed second in the event.

Others are three-time London marathon champion Martin Lel with a time of 2:05:45, Patrick Makau Musyoki, who came third in London with a time of 2:05:45, Paris Marathon champion Benjamin Kiptoo (2:06:31) and Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (2:06:43), who finished sixth in Boston.

In the women’s category, London Marathon champion Mary Keitany leads the charge with a time of 2:19:19. Last year’s New York champion Edna Kiplagat, who finished third in London in 2:20:46 is also on the list and so is Boston Marathon champion Caroline Kilel ( 2:22:36).

Others are Sharon Cherop (2:22:42), who finished third in Boston, Paris Marathon champion Prisca Cheptoo (2:22:55), Lydia Cheromei, who finished second in Dubai Marathon in 2:23:01, Rotterdam champion Philes Ongori (2:24:20), Caroline Rotich (fourth in Boston), Agnes Kiprop (second in Paris) and Alice Timbilil (ninth in Boston)

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