Star-studded cast set for Police Meet

Athletes compete during trials for the World Athletics Championship cum All Africa Games on August 1, 2015 at Safaricom Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Javelin great Yego puts title on the line at Kasarani
  • World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will not be defending her 1,500m title because of an injury.
  • In the race Commonwealth 5,000m champion Cherono faces off with Africa Games 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo.

An array of stars will be on parade at the fiercely contested Kenya Police Service Athletics Championships, which get underway at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on Thursday.

The rich field has several Olympics and world medallists including Nicholas Bett, Julius Yego, David Rudisha, Asbel Kiprop, Elijah Manangoi, Geoffrey Kamworor, Eunice Sum, Mercy Cherono and Isaiah Kiplangat among others.

“The turnout is impressive, we expect tough competition,” said Kenya Police Service Athletics Kenya chairman Joseph Kiget.

World 800m bronze medallist Sum is expected to star in the qualifying rounds that will feature Eglay Nalianya and Nelly Jepkosgei. Sum started her season by winning the 1,500m final in 4:21.3 in Nakuru a month ago.

Olympics and world 800m champion Rudisha opted for the relays. The 800m battle is left to world 1,500m silver medallist Manangoi, Jeremiah Mutai, Job Kinyor and fast-rising Cosmas Maloba.

World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will not be defending her 1,500m title because of an injury. In the race Commonwealth 5,000m champion Cherono faces off with Africa Games 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo.

Men’s 1,500m will be highlight featuring three-time world champion Kiprop, World Indoor 3,000m bronze medallist Augustine Choge, World 10,000m silver and medallist Geoffrey Kamworor.

Bett and Yego, who claimed victories 400m hurdles and javelin at last year’s World Championships, will be in focus in their respective events.