Kemboi, Rudisha lead elite cast to championships

World 800m record-holder David Rudisha (left) jogging during a past training session. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Biggest global stars in distance running line up in mini-Olympics at Kipchoge Keino Stadium
  • Cheruiyot warmed up for the trials with fourth place finish in 3,000m in Doha (8:31.86) and came third in 5,000m at Prefontaine Classic (14:35.69) before winning women’s 5,000m in Birmingham in a time of 15:12:79.
  • Kipyego and Saina finished fifth and eighth during the 2015 World Championships in Beijing where Cheruiyot reigned supreme.

Olympic steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi and World and Olympic 800 metres record-holder David Rudisha lead a galaxy of athletes in action at the Olympic trials get underway in Eldoret on Thursday.

The national trials have been sponsored by Safaricom. A huge security blanket has been thrown over Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium where the biggest global stars in distance running will be chasing Olympic tickets.

World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will line up in Thursday’s semi-finals of his speciality that will blend with semi-finals in the steeplechase and 800m on a programme that will be televised live by NTV from 10am.

In the steeplechase, Kemboi will be up against double World silver medallist Conseslus Kipruto and former Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto in the first men’s semi-final race at exactly 1pm.

Entry into the stadium will be free, with the final team to the Rio de Janeiro Games being unveiled on Friday afternoon.

But African Games and Africa 10,000m champion Alice Aprot has been given a wild card. Also to get a wildcard is World 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor.

Athletics Kenya officials opted to give Aprot a wild card. Aprot won the Africa title in a championship record and world leading time of 30min, 26.94seconds on Saturday in Durban.

Kamworor, who is also the World Half Marathon champion and World Cross Country champion, will, however, battle it out for a place in men’s 5,000m in the final that goes down on Wednesday.

AK vice president in charge of competitions, Paul Mutwii, on Wednesday said Aprot will field in women’s 5,000m on Friday.

“There are cases of athletes who want to double up in two races. I think Kamworor is strong and we need to give him that opportunity,” Mutwii said on Wednesday.

STIFF COMPETITION

Vivian Cheruiyot, who also won bronze in 10,000m and silver in 5,000m at the 2012 London Olympics will line up in women’s 10,000m in a field that will also feature 2012 Olympics 10,000m silver medallist Sally Kipyego as well as 2009 World 10,00m champion Linet Masai and Betsy Saina.

Kipyego and Saina finished fifth and eighth during the 2015 World Championships in Beijing where Cheruiyot reigned supreme.

Cheruiyot warmed up for the trials with fourth place finish in 3,000m in Doha (8:31.86) and came third in 5,000m at Prefontaine Classic (14:35.69) before winning women’s 5,000m in Birmingham in a time of 15:12:79.
Cheruiyot, the 2011 World 10,000m and 5,000m champion, will be eying her fourth appearance at the Olympics, having made her debut at 2000 Sydney with 14th place finish in 5,000m.

“It’s my intention to not only win in Eldoret but to also go on and claim my maiden Olympic title,” said Cheruiyot.

“It’s a tough task considering the strong field but I am ready for it.”

“I will be excited to get a second opportunity to represents Kenya,” said Saina, who is based in the USA alongside Kipyego.

World 5,000m silver medallist Caleb Mwangangi, who has been his battling fitness, having recovered for a knee problem, is still favourite in men’s 5,000m but faces still competition from among others Kamworor, the 2012 London Olympics 5,000m bronze medallist Thomas Longosiwa and 2008 Olympic 5,000m bronze medallist Edwin Soi. Also in the reach 5,000m final field is the 2013 World 5,000m bronze medallist Isaiah Kiplangat.