Athletics Kenya president jack Tuwei has revealed that the final women and men marathon team will be named next week after track and field trials for Commonwealth Games and world championships.
Tuwei, who met the team in Eldoret for the first time since they were named in April, said that the final marathon team for the world championships set for Oregon in the USA next month will join hands with track and field athletes to make a full team.
“Our final team will be named come next week after track and field trials. For now, this team will be training at their various camps and after the national trials, we shall have the final team that will fly our Kenyan flag,” said Tuwei.
He added that they selected the best team because they have not had any noise, condemning their selection.
“Since we selected the team we have not heard any challenges and noise from the public, meaning we have selected the best for this country,” he said.
In men, the marathon team is made up Chicago and Boston marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, who will be serving as team captain, two time New York marathon champion Geoffrey kamworor, Barnabas Kiptum and former world marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui as reserve.
Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir leads women race followed by defending champion Ruth Chepng’etich, Judith Jeptum Korir and Angela Tanui as reserve.
Tuwei also said that the marathoners will be training on their own ahead of the championships.
Captain Cherono said that as a team, they are preparing well for the show.
“We are a full team, committed to take the mantle and we are ready for the task. We will do our best as a team following a good discussion with team mates and federation president and have promised we shall work together,” said Cherono.
Women marathon defending champion Ruth Chepng’etich said she was ready to defend her title.
“Am praying that we have good results in Oregon and raedy to defend my title,” said Chepng’etich.