Marathon looks safe, the war is on the 10,000m track where Mo rules

IN BEIJING

If all goes well, Kenya will have secured at least one gold medal by close of business on Day One here.

And this is why: Kenyans are heavily favoured to win the opening race of the 2015 World Athletics Championships - the men’s Marathon.

With a stellar cast that comprises the world record-holder Dennis Kimetto, former world record holder Wilson Kipsang and the Paris Marathon champion Mark Korir, the Kenyans are going for a medal sweep.

They will however have to deal with the defending world and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda who has now made it a habit spoiling the Kenyan party.

The last event of the day also offers medals prospects: the men’s straight 10,000m final. This is a dicey situation for Kenya. With Britain’s Mo Farah in good form, and bitter foes Ethiopians in the mix, Kenyans will have to dig deep to get podium places.

The team of World cross cross country silver medallist Bedan Karoki and Moscow bronze medallist Paul Tanui must fight tooth and nail to win the gold that has eluded Kenya for 14 years.

The last time the country won gold in the race was in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada, through Charles Kamathi, who ended many years of dominance by Ethiopia’s Haile Gabrselassie.

“We have trained well and we are all ready for this task. We will run as a team. We are determined to win this,” Kamworor said. Asia has been a favourite hunting ground for Kenya and, weather permitting, Mo Farah is beatable. No one can gather the guts to bet against Kenya in the 3000m steeplechase heats, their traditional race.

In Beijing, the line up comprises three-time World champion Ezekiel Kemboi, 2007 World champion Brimin Kipruto, Moscow World silver medallist Consenslus Kipruto and 2014 African champion Jairus Birech.

But if there’s anyone who can cause an upset and spoil the Kenyan party, it’s America’s Evan Jager. The American record holder, 8:00.45, poses a mighty threat.

At the Paris Diamond League, Jager stunned many and - were it not for gods of athletics on Kenya’s side - nearly won the race. Luckily, yes, luckily, the American fell at the final hurdle, gifting Birech a clear path to the tape. No such tension in the heats today but he’s clearly the dangerman.

RUDISHA IN ACTION

In men’s 800m heats, World record holder, David Rudisha, Ferguson Rotich and Alfred Kipketer carry the nation’s hopes. The greatest challenge will come from Amel Tuka of Bosnia, Nijel Amos of Botswana, Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti Adam Kszczot of Poland and Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia.

In the women’s 1500m heats, it’s about Commonwealth Games champion Faith Chepng’etich, 2010 world youth bronze medallist Nancy Chepkwemoi and newcomer Viola Lagat carrying hopes of an expectant nation.

The Herculean task here is to bring down world record-holder Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia. In the men’s 400m hurdles heats, Haron Koech 49.50 and Boniface Mucheru 48.92 will lead the Kenyan charge.