Former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai and former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie will lead a star-studded filed of top athlete at this weekend’s Athletics Kenya Cross country trials ahead of World Cross country championships in Bathurst, Australia.
Fresh from winning Iten cross country meeting on Saturday, the Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist, Cheptai will be up against World 5000m silver medallist Beatrice Lucy Mawia, Mercy Cherono, Judy Kiyeng, Africa 10,000m champion Caroline Nyaga and 2019 world 3000m SC champion Beatrice Chepkoech will also be in the mix. Others include Sandrafelis Chebet and Virginia Nyambura.
Kandie will lead 10km men’s race that has Commonwealth 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu, world 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka, current world 10km road race record holder Rhonex Kipruto and Geoffrey Kamworor, former world under-20 3000m SC champion Amos Serem, 2018 world U-20 5000m champion Edward Zakayo, Commonwealth 3000m SC champion Abraham Kibiwott and Daniel Mateiko.
World Under-20 3000m bronze medallist Nancy Cherop will lead Cardiff Cross Challenge winner Pamela Kosgei in 6km junior women.
In the 8km junior men, Samuel Kibathi and Emmanuel Wafula will be among the top athletes to watch in the men’s under-20 cadre during national trials.
2011 World Cross-Country 6km silver medallist Purity Cherotich will be seeking to make an impact in the 2km senior race. World under-20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyony, Noah Kibet, Leonard Bett and Abel Kipsang start favourites in the men’s 2km race.
For the 6km Under-20 women, 8km Under-20 men and 10km senior (men and women) categories, the first six athletes to cross the finish line will make the cut.