Kenya scent Cardiff glory
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor celebrates winning the men's senior race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou province on March 28, 2015. Kamworor, who captains Team Kenya at the World Half Marathon Championships set for Cardiff, Wales, said they were not only looking at Mo Farah’s challenge but also the threat from Eritrea and Ethiopia. PHOTO | CHINA OUT |
What you need to know:
- “It’s great representing Kenya once again, though not as an athlete but as coach,” said Catherine “The Great” Ndereba after taking the team through their paces at Uhuru Gardens alongside fellow coach Kennedy Tanui.
- The Kenyan women's team swept the podium in the 2014 Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Team captain Geoffrey Kamworor said they were not only looking at Mo Farah’s challenge but also the threat from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Team Kenya exuded confidence as they wrapped up training in Nairobi on Wednesday ahead of the World Half Marathon Championships set for Cardiff, Wales on Saturday.
The team was due to leave Nairobi on Thursday night for the Welsh capital.
“It’s great representing Kenya once again, though not as an athlete but as coach,” said Catherine “The Great” Ndereba after taking the team through their paces at Uhuru Gardens alongside fellow coach Kennedy Tanui.
Ndereba, the 2003 Paris and 2007 Osaka World marathon champion, said the athletes were in good form.
The Kenyan women's team swept the podium in the 2014 Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“These are seasoned athletes. I can’t say the women will go for another sweep but they have prepared well. They know the 2014 team set a huge benchmark,” said Ndereba.
STIFF CHALLENGE
Team captain Geoffrey Kamworor said they were not only looking at Mo Farah’s challenge but also the threat from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
In 2014, Kenya lost the men’s title to Eritrea. “You know it’s Zersenay Tadese from Eritrea who stopped Kenya’s reign with four victories before Wilson Kiprop won in 2010.
Tadese won again in 2012 before I reclaimed the title in 2014,” said Kamworor, the reigning World Cross Country champion and World 10,000m silver medallist.
“I know most Kenyans are waiting for the day we shall beat Farah. That day is coming soon,” vowed Kamworor.
Bedan Karoki added: “Team work will deliver both individual and team titles. We have a strong team.” Besides seasoned runners Kamworor, Karoki and Simon Cheprot, the men’s team has debutantes Edwin Kiptoo and Edwin Kipyego.
With the 2014 World Half silver medallist Mercy Wacera and 2012 World Half bronze medallist Pascalia Jepkorir, the women’s team oozes experience.
It also has the recently-crowned Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon champion Cynthia Limo, and Peris Jepchirchir and Gladys Chesir - who finished fourth and fifth in the same race.
Kenya have won 11 individual men and 14 team titles thus far.
