Youngsters Kipruto, Kwemoi punch World Championship tickets

Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya Police battered a strong field to win the 10,000m title during the Athletics Kenya National Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

However, Kamworor - who stayed behind for the better part of the race before hitting the front with 300m to go to win in 27 minutes and 24.76 seconds - stuck with his early decision to skip the World Championships slated for September 28 to October 6 in Doha, Qatar.

The Doha battle is now left for youngsters - World Under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto (Police) and Rodgers Kwemoi (Nairobi), who won World Under-20 10,000m title in 2016.

Also making the team is the Kenya Defence Forces' long distance runner Alex Oloitiptip.

Kipruto, 19, who led for the better part of the race and Kwemoi, 22, were unable to upstage experienced Kamworor to finish second and third in 27:26.34 and 27:26.92 respectively.

"As I said before, I was using this race to prepare for the New York City Marathon," said Kamworor, the 2015 World 10,000m silver medallist.

Kamworor, who is the three-time World Half Marathon champion, will be seeking to reclaim the New York City Marathon title on November 3 in the American City.

"I believe the youngsters will deliver victory in Doha and best of luck to them. Rhonex and Kwemoi have shown great potential and Oloitiptip's experience should also count," said Kamworor, 26.

Kipruto said he is ready to conquer the world and hand Kenya the title they have missed since 2001 Edmonton.

"We just need to have that self-belief and embrace teamwork," said Kipruto.