Elite runners get relay series trials reprieve

Sammy Rono, the National Cross Country team coach, instructs his athletes during training Runyenjes in Embu on March 18 2013. Kenya’s elite athletes who did not take part in the local Relay Series have finally been invited to the Safaricom National Trials for the World Relay Championships. Rono aid those who have been invited must have competed in events abroad or have valid reasons for missing the local series. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman Kipchoge Keino, Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch, coach Rono, former international sprinter Joyce Odhiambo and former World 1,500m champion Noah Ngeny are in the panel of selectors.
  • Last month, Jepng’etich led Kenya’s sweep of the podium and team titles at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Uganda.
  • The event had only been graced by former World 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei, double World 1,500m Asbel Kiprop, Nixon Chepseba and Olympic and World 800m Kenya’s representative Jeremiah Mutai. But Mutai’s poor show at the 2012 London Olympics and 2013 Moscow Worlds stretching to 2014 World Indoors has seen him left out of the National Trials.

Kenya’s elite athletes who did not take part in the local Relay Series have finally been invited to the Safaricom National Trials for the World Relay Championships.

However, head coach Sammy Rono said those who have been invited must have competed in events abroad or have valid reasons for missing the local series.

The trials, at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, will start with straight finals in 100 metres, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m races from 2pm to 3pm before the relays, which will end at 7pm.

Athletics Kenya vice-president David Okeyo said the team that will be selected after the trials will proceed to residential training on May 1 before departure for the Bahamas on May 17.

“The trials are purely through invitation and athletes invited must confirm their participation by Friday noon,” said Okeyo.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman Kipchoge Keino, Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch, coach Rono, former international sprinter Joyce Odhiambo and former World 1,500m champion Noah Ngeny are in the panel of selectors.

PODIUM SWEEP

World Cross junior champion Faith Jepng’etich, also the reigning World junior 1,500m champion, won the invitation for her prowess over the metric mile.

Former World junior 1,500m champion Irene Jelagat and World 5,000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono, who won the 1,500m at the Sydney and Melbourne meets recently, have also been invited. Jepng’etich and Cherono will be eyeing places in 4x1,500m.

Last month, Jepng’etich led Kenya’s sweep of the podium and team titles at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Uganda.

Also set to feature are 2006 Commonwealth Games 3,000m champion Augustine Choge and 2011 and 2013 Worlds 1,500m veterans Bethwell Birgen and Collins Cheboi, who are all looking for slots in the 4x 1,500m team.

Uganda national 4x400m men and women’s teams have been invited for the trials beside the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Prisons and Kenya Police Service teams.

AK has struggled to get the attention of the elite athletes in five of their series at Kenya Prisons grounds, Nyayo and Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

The event had only been graced by former World 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei, double World 1,500m Asbel Kiprop, Nixon Chepseba and Olympic and World 800m Kenya’s representative Jeremiah Mutai. But Mutai’s poor show at the 2012 London Olympics and 2013 Moscow Worlds stretching to 2014 World Indoors has seen him left out of the National Trials.

The final event of the Series on April 5  at Kasarani drew quite a considerable number of elite athletes.

World 800m champion Eunice Sum, the 2008 Beijing Olympics 800m gold medalist Jebet lagat, World Indoor 3,000m silver medalist Hellen Obiri, who is also the World 1,500m bronze medalist participated in the event. Kiprop, Chepseba and World Indoor 3,000m champion Caleb Mwangangi once again highlighted the last event in the Relay Series.

Kiprop, Chepseba, Mwangangi are focused for the 4x 1,500m tam while Sum and Obiri will be competing for places in the 4x 800m and 4x1,500m teams respectively. Also vying for a place in 4x 800m team is Janeth Jepkosgei.

Anthony Chemut, Fergusson Rotich, Job Kinyor and youngster Patrick Korir are key figures in the 4x 800m Relays.