Kiplagat, Kirui highlight marathon team for World Championships

World marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui and two-time world marathon champion highlight the Kenyan marathon team for the World Championships slated for Doha, Qatar in September 27-October 6.

The team released today by Athletics Kenya (AK) also comprises of two-time Paris marathon champion Paul Lonyangata, the 2016 Rome marathon champion Amos Kipruto, Laban Korir, and Ernest Ngeno in the men category.

In the women front, Kiplagat will be joined by the 2016 Paris marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho, Sally Chepyego and Dubai marathon champion Ruth Jepngetich.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Vice President in charge of competitions Paul Mutwii, the selected team is strong for the global event.

Apart from Kirui and Kiplagat who both competed in this year’s Boston marathon the other athletes have not competed in Major marathon this season but AK Vice President in charge of competitions Paul Mutwii is adamant the selected athletes are equal to the task.

“It is a good team because you will find out that those (athletes) we have selected are in the top 20 in the world ranking and anybody within that range can win any championship,” said Mutwii.

The team will begin training early July in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County under the tutelage of Richard Metto and Joseph Cheromei.

With the marathon set to be held in the mid-night due to high temperatures in the Qatar capital-the average temperature in October in Doha are highs of 35 degrees Celsius and lows of 25- Mutwii has hinted that the team might have to shift their training to a lower altitude in order to acclimatise with the looming conditions.

“The marathon will be held midnight so as to avoid high temperatures and thus we also considering taking these athletes to low altitude areas like Lake Victoria so that we can prepare them adequately for the Doha assignment,” added Mutwii.

In the 2017 championships held in London, Kirui clinched gold in 2:08:27 while Kiplagat settled for silver in 2:27:18 behind Bahrain’s Rose Chelimo.

Team

Men: Geoffrey Kirui, Amos Kipruto, Ernest Ngeno, Laban Korir and Paul Lonyangata.

Women: Ruth Jepngetich, Edna Kiplagat, Visiline Jepkesho and Sally Chepyego.