Kenyans line up in Rabat

World 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Consenslus Kipruto is eying his second victory this season when the Diamond League makes its debut on the African continent in Rabat on Sunday.

Kipruto, who only won one Diamond League series last season in London, won in his speciality in Doha on May 6 after clocking a world lead time of 8:05.13.

The 2013 Diamond Trophy winner, Kipruto, who won silver medals at the 2013 and 2015 Worlds, edged out the 2016 Diamond Trophy winner Jairus Birech to second in 8:08.28. Abraham Kibiwott sealed the podium place for Kenya with a personal best of 8:09.25. Kipruto will once again will face Birech, who is another returnee to Rabat following his victory at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium last year.

Others in the race are African Games champion Clement Kemboi, 2010 Diamond Trophy winner Paul Kipsiele and 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics silver medallist Mahiedine Mekhissi of France.

Kenya’s 2013 World champion and three-time Diamond Trophy winner Eunice Sum hopes for a better show in women’s 800m after finishing third in Doha. The 2009 World champion Caster Semenya from South Africa won the race in a world lead time of 1:58.26.

Sum clocked a season best of 1:59.74 behind Ethiopian Alemu Habitam in personal best 1:59.14. World Indoor champion Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba is also on parade.

Commonwealth 5,000m champion and 2013 World 5,00m silver medallist Mercy Cherono leads a horde of Kenyans against their Ethiopian rivals led by World 5,000m champion Almaz Ayana.

Cherono clocked 8:26.38 to finish second behind Ayana who won the 3,000m race in a world-leading 8:23.12 in Doha.

Edwin Kiplagat will be the only Kenyan in the men’s 800m race against London 2012 Olympics 800m silver medallist Nijel Amos and Algeria’s 2012 Olympics 1,500m champion Taoufik Makhloufi, who is making his 2016 debut.