Asbel Kiprop leads elite runners to AK meeting in Eldoret

Kenya's Asbel Kiprop celebrates after winning the final of the men's 1500 metres at the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing, China on August 30, 2015. AFP PHOTO | OLIVIER MORIN

By  COPPERFIELD LAGAT

What you need to know:

  • World Cross champion Jebet to line up in women’s 5,000m race
  • The 2015 Diamond League winner Silas Kiplagat is also expected to compete in the race alongside Elijah Manangoi.
  • World 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor will also line-up in men’s 1,500m.
  • World Cross Country champion Agnes Jebet will compete in women’s 5,000m as she makes her first appearance since winning gold in China in 2015.
  • Youngsters Abigael Jelagat and Beatrice Jebet compete in women’s 5,000m race.
  • Javelin, hammer, short put and other field events will be held at University of Eldoret grounds.
  • A bruising battle is expected in Eldoret as the rush for the August Olympic Games tickets gains momentum.

Eldoret, Kenya’s athletics capital, is set to stage a sneak preview of what to expect at the African Championships and Rio Olympic Games when the country’s top athletes line up for the last Athletics Kenya Track and Field meeting at the Kipchoge Stadium from Thursday.

After setting a new stadium record of 3min,36.09sec over 1,500m at last year’s AK meeting in Eldoret, World champion Asbel Kiprop will be among the stars to watch in the three-day competition.

A tartan track has since been laid on the stadium and the surface upgraded to international standards.

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The men’s 1,500m race promises to be an interesting battle as Diamond League regular Nixon Chepseba who holds the previous record over high altitude of 3:37.42 from 2010 takes on Kiprop. Both will also be out to attain top form ahead of international track competitions.

Kiprop’s fast time in Eldoret anchored him to set a new personal best of 3:26.69 in Monaco Diamond League Meeting last year.

The 2015 Diamond League winner Silas Kiplagat is also expected to compete in the race alongside Elijah Manangoi.

World 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor will also line-up in men’s 1,500m.

World Half Marathon silver medallist Bedan Karoki, who was expected to line up in men’s 5,000m race, will miss the event as he is still training in Japan.

He faces Geoffrey Ng’eno, Elijah Kipchirchir, Peter Lagat and Willy Kwemoi all who competed in last year’s meeting.

World 800m record holder David Rudisha had not confirmed his participation by Tuesday but his protégés Timothy Kitum and Fergusson Rotich will be looking to post impressive times.

KIYENG IN THE MIX

World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng will lead World Youth 2,000m silver medallist Sandrafelis Chebet to Eldoret. Chebet, who won women’s 10,000m race in Eldoret last year, is eyeing a slot in Kenya’s 3,000m team for the World Junior Championships.

Chebet, a Form Three student at Saramek Day School in Kericho County, will use the Eldoret meeting to check form as she prepares for next week’s East Africa Junior Championships in Tanzania.

World Cross Country champion Agnes Jebet will compete in women’s 5,000m as she makes her first appearance since winning gold in China in 2015.

Youngsters Abigael Jelagat and Beatrice Jebet compete in women’s 5,000m race.

Javelin, hammer, short put and other field events will be held at University of Eldoret grounds.

A bruising battle is expected in Eldoret as the rush for the August Olympic Games tickets gains momentum.

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