World marathon record-holder Kimetto to lead Kenya’s charge for honours in Beijing

What you need to know:

  • Two-time world champion Edna Kiplagat has been handed a golden opportunity to claim a hat-trick of titles as she was named in women’s marathon team.
  • Kipchoge, 30, ran a world leading time of 2:04:42 on his way to victory in London, beating Kipsang (2:04:47) and Kimetto (2:05:50) respectively.
  • Kenyan men will be looking forward to recapture the title they lost to Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich in 2013.

World marathon record-holder Dennis Kimetto and 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang will spearhead Kenya’s marathon title assault at the World Championships due August in Beijing, China.

Two-time world champion Edna Kiplagat has been handed a golden opportunity to claim a hat-trick of titles as she was named in women’s marathon team.

Kipsang and Kimetto, who are fresh from finishing second and third respectively at London Marathon in April, were among the sixth athletes shortlisted in the men’s team for the Worlds.

Missing in the list is the new London Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, who had expressed his desire to make a return to the Worlds where he won 5,000m title in 2003 and the 2009 and 2011 world champion, Abel Kirui.

STAR ATHLETES

Kipchoge, 30, ran a world leading time of 2:04:42 on his way to victory in London, beating Kipsang (2:04:47) and Kimetto (2:05:50) respectively.

Others in the men’s list are reigning Paris Marathon champion Mark Korir, Hamburg champion Lucas Kimeli Rotich, Felix Kipchirchir Kiprotich, who finished second at Seoul Marathon and 2012 Rome Marathon winner Luka Lokobe Kanda.

Kiplagat will team up with Jemimah Sumgong, who finished second at last year’s New York City Marathon. Others in women’s team are Tokyo runner-up medallist Helah Kiprop, Visiline Jepkesho, who was placed third at Paris Marathion, and Janet Jelagat, fourth at Prague.

Among those who were overlooked are Boston Marathon champion Caroline Rotich and Commonwealth Games champion Flomena Cheyech and London Olympics silver medallist Priscah Jeptoo. Mary Keitany, who won the New York Coty marathon last year before finishing second at London Marathon this year, and 2011 World bronze medallist Sharon Cherop were also not considered.

Kenyan men will be looking forward to recapture the title they lost to Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich in 2013.