AK rolls out World Half, World Indoors teams

Kenya will be represented by ten athletes each at the forthcoming IAAF World Half Marathon and World Indoor Championships in Cardiff, United Kingdom and Portland, USA.

Defending men and women champions, Geoffrey Kipsang and Florence Kiplagat will lead Kenya’s charge at the World Half in Cardiff according to the teams unveiled by Athletics Kenya last evening.

New York Marathon champion, Stanley Biwott, World Cross silver medallist, Edwin Kiptoo and Jonathan Maiyo complete the men’s team for the World Half.

Two-time London Marathon winner, Mary Keitany, New York champion, Gladys Cherono, Cynthia Chelimo and Mercy Wachera will join Kiplagat in a star-studded Kenyan women’s team.

Two-time world champion, Catherine Ndereba is among the officials that will travel to the UK with the team that will be the favourite to sweep the honours at the Welsh capital.

Titleholder Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku who won silver in 5000m at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China returns to defend his 3000m crown in USA.

He will be joined in the strong seven and a half-lap men’s squad by 2012 silver medallist, Augustine Choge and former world junior record holder, Isaih Kiplangat Koech.

Olympics 800m bronze medallist, Timothy Kitum who had a solid winter season will be joined by Nicholas Kiplagat in the men’s two-lap race.

Bethwell Birgen will return to the World Indoors hoping to medal on his second outing when he teams up with Vincent Kibet in the men 1500m.

World Junior women 800m champion, Margaret Nyairera will make her senior debut in the Portland squad in the corresponding women’s event.

Nancy Chepkwemwoi who was in Kenya’s team for the Beijing Worlds and Betsy Saina will fly the nation’s flag in the women’s 1500m.

SELECTED TEAM KENYA FOR WORLD HALF MARATHON, CARDIFF UK.

MEN
1.      GEOFFREY KAMWOROR
2.      BEDAN KAROKI
3.      STANLEY BIWOTT
4.      EDWIN KIPTOO
5.      JONATHAN MAIYO

WOMEN
1.      FLORANCE KIPLAGAT
2.      MARY KEITANY
3.      CYNTHIA LIMO
4.      GLADYS CHERONO
5.      MERCY WACHERA

OFFICIALS
1.      JOHN WACHIRA(TM)
2.      CATHERINE NDEREBA
3.      KENEDY TANUI

SELECTED TEAM KENYA FOR WORLD INDOOR GAMES PORTLAND USA FROM 17/3/2016-20/3/2016
MEN
800M MEN
1.      TIMOTHY KITUM
2.      NICHOLAS KIPLAGAT

1500M MEN
1.      VINCENT KIBET
2.      BETHWEL BIRGIN

3000M
1.      AGUSTIN CHOGE
2.      CALEB MWANGANGI
3.      ISAIAH KOECH KIPLAGAT

800M WOMEN
1.      MARGARET NYAIRERA
2.      VIOLA CHEPTOO LAGAT

3000M WOMEN
1.      NANCY CHEPKWEMOI
2.      BETSY SAINA

OFFICIALS
1.      FRANCIS AFUNDI(TM)
2.      ALICE ADALA
3.      KENNETH KIMWENGETICH
4.      EDWARD MWEMA