Chemutai, Wacera out of Team Kenya Valenica trip

The Rak Half Marathon champion Fancy Chemutai and Mary Wacera will miss out on Saturday’s IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain.

Chemutai and Wacera both picked ankle injuries during their individual training. Chemutai narrowly missed the world record last month at RAK to stop the timer at 1 hour, four minutes and 52 will be missing after suffering an ankle injury earlier this month.

“It’s a little bit disappointing but there is nothing I can do for now. I will just go back to Kericho and focus on my recovery. Once I’m fully recovered I will inform my management so that they can organise a race for me,” Chemutai said.

The men will also be missing 2017 London Marathon runners up Bedan Karoki who also pulled out because of an injury. Karoki was replaced by Alex Korio, the 2017 Bengaluru 10km title holder.

Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya (AK) CEO Susan Kamau who is travelling with the team confirmed that only three ladies will hunt the coveted title since there was no time to add new athletes after the duo got injured.

“I would like to wish Fancy and Wacera a quick recovery. I wish that they could competed but they showed us medical reports from their doctors,” Kamau said.

The Team departed on Wednesday evening at 8:40pm and will be expected on Monday 26 at 6:40pm.

At the same time, two time World Half Marathon title holder Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor declared that he will be going for a third title.

KENYAN TEAM FOR VALENCIA

Men: Leonard Barsoton, Geoffrey Kamworor, Barselius Kipyego, Jorum Okombo, Alex Korio.

Women: Ruth Chepngetich, Joyciline Jepkosgei, Pauline Kaveke, Joan Chelimo.

-Report by Carol Kones and Charity Wanja