Champions given Nationals wildcards

Kenya Police have included seven wild cards in their team for the National Cross Country Championships set for February 18 at the Ngong Racecourse.

The athletes, among them 2011 World Cross country champion Vivian Cheruiyot and double World Cross country silver medallist Linet Masai, did not take part in the Kenya Police Cross country Championships held on Saturday that was used to select the team.

The top six athletes in each of men’s and women’s competition earned automatic slots in the Kenya Police team that will defend both titles at the national championships.

Masai will be defending her national title, while Geoffery Mutai, who successfully defended his title on Saturday at the Police Championships, will be seeking to achieve a similar feat at the nationals.

Comeback mum Lucy Kabuu won the women’s 8km race on Saturday.

Team heads to camp

Kenya Police head coach, Nicholas Kilisio, indicated that the team would move to residential training in Kigari, Embu, on Thursday next week.

Besides Cheruiyot who is also the Daegu World Championships in Athletics 10,000m and 5,000m champion and Daegu World 10,000m bronze medallist Masai, other athletes given wild cards in Kabuu’s team are Africa Cross country champion Mercy Cherono.

Berlin and Daegu World Championships in Athletics 5,000m bronze medal winner Sylvia Kibet was also given a wild card to represent Police at the nationals.

Kisorio, Asbel, Limo picked

Kilisio has included Beijing Olympic Games and Daegu World Championships in Athletics 1,500m gold medallist Asbel Kiprop, the 2007 World Cross country junior bronze winner Matthew Kisorio and Philemon Limo in the men’s team.

“I hope Kiprop will agree to help us defend both the individual and team titles at the nationals,” said coach Kilisio.