Faith Chepng’etich shifts allegiance to Police ahead of cross country title defence

Defending champion Faith Chepng’etich will compete for Kenya Police Service during the National Cross Country Championships slated for Saturday at Uhuru Gardens.

Chepng’etich, who retained the title in 2015 with Central Rift team, has shifted her allegiance to Police team that has pitched camp in Kiganjo ahead of the Nation Cross.

Chepng’etich did not take part in the force’s championships three weeks ago in Nairobi but the reigning Africa Cross champion made a great start to her season, winning the 34rd Cross Internacional de Italica in Seville, Spain on January 17.

“We are proud to have Chepng’etich in our stable and it shows our commitment to retain the title,” said Kenya Police coach Isaac Kirwa.

“The training is going on well and let our rivals know our arsenals are well-oiled, and ready to fire.”

However, missing in Police team is the 2011 World Cross country champion Vivian Cheruiyot, who recaptured the Police title during their championships.

Cheruiyot, who is the reigning World 10,000m champion, has requested to be exempted from the team, opting for a series of road races.

The rest of the top performers from the Police Cross senior women’s including African Games 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo, World 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist Hyvin and Janet Kisa, who finished second third and fourth.

Also in the team are 2012 World Half Marathon bronze medallist Pascalia Jekorir, who finished eighth in Police Cross and Viola Chepchumba, who failed to finish the race.

The 2013 World Junior silver medallist Leonard Barsaton has also been given a wild card to Police senior men’s 10m race where Augustine Choge and Asbel Kiprop, who finished second and third have been left out.

Choge, the 2012 World Indoor 3,000m silver medallist and Kiprop, the reigning World 1,500m champion have opted to prepare for other races.

Choge, the 2006 Commonwealth champion, who is making a comeback from injury, is eying a place in Kenya team for the World Indoor Championships due March 17-20 in Cardiff, Wales.

Choge made his case when he won the 3,000m race at Duesseldorf Indoor Meet on Wednesday in Germany.

He was due to field at Karlsruhe Indoor Meeting, the opening event of the 2016 World Indoor Tour yesterday night in Germany.

Barsaton will team up with Geoffrey Kamworor, who finished second last year, but went on to win the World Cross Country title in Guiyang, China.

Kwamworor also retained Kenya Police Cross title three weeks ago. Also in the men’s team are the 2013 national champion Philemon Rono, Clement Lagat, Peter Kirui and Joseph Kitun.