Kenya names marathon field for London worlds

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and London marathon winners Daniel Wanjiru and Mary Keitany will represent Kenya in the event at this summer’s World championships in the British capital, officials said.

Kipchoge, 32, is one of Kenya’s most consistent runners and was part of a three-man Nike team that attempted to break the two-hour mark in the marathon in Monza, Italy early this month.

Kipchoge set a world-leading time of 2hr 00min 25sec but it was not recognised as a world record considering the circumstances the race was held under.

Wanjiru, 24, will be returning to the British city where he recorded his greatest marathon victory, beating the legendary Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele on April 23.

Former World record holder and 2012 London Olympic bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang completes the top-three list, with the 2017 Boston marathon winner Geoffrey Kirui and Gideon Kipketer as reserves.

The selectors also named Keitany, the three-time London marathon women’s champion, in the team after she was ignored for the Rio Olympics last August.

Keitany will be partnered by two-time world champion Edna Kiplagat and former world half marathon record holder, Florence Kiplagat. Reigning Paris marathon champion Purity Rionoripo and Agnes Barsosio are the reserves.

The runners have been given a Monday deadline to confirm their places in the team.

Tags:

Eliud Kipchoge athletics Wilson Kipsang Marathon Mary Keitany IAAF World Championships London 2017

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