Hardloopnieuws

Young stars get chance to prove themselves

Isabella Ochichi is een van de groot kanshebsters op de 5000 mtr

Door Chris Mbaisi

Elijah Kibwalei and Emmanuel Chamer have a chance to showcase their talent at this weekends National Championships.
The event starts on Thursday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Chamer (10,000m) and Kibwalei (3,000m steeplechase) have been impressive recently and chances that they can rise to the occasion again is not in doubt.

Tienduizend meter mannen
Kibwalei, who won the event during the Armed Forces Championships, will be up against the big wigs of the water-and-barrier race, including Olympic champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, while Chamer hopes to pull a fast one on world 10,000m silver medallist Moses Mosop.The steeplechase is expected to be interesting. The race boasts a strong field, including former champion Reuben Kosgei, Olympic silver medallist, Brimin Kipruto and bronze medallist Paul Koech Kipsiele.Others expected to star include former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Abraham Cherono, Collins Ngeno from Police and Ronald Kipchumba from Prisons.In 10,000m, Mosop starts as a firm favourite but if Chamers display of bravado at the Prisons Championships is any measure, then he should brace up for a tougher fight. Other key names in the race will include former national champion, John Korir, former Paris Marathon champion, Salim Kipsang, and Standard Chartered Marathon champion, Samson Barmao.

Andere afstanden
The 5,000m will equally be interesting with Armed Forces running machines, led by world champion Benjamin Limo, leading the way. Sammy Kipketer and John Kibowen will back Limo, who is also the Commonwealth bronze medallist. Others to watch will include Richard Matelong, Thomas Longosiwa and Gilbert Okari.Commonwealth champion, Alex Kipchirchir, world bronze medallist, William Yiampoy and Ismael Kombich start favourites in the 800m while Shadrack Korir, Churchil Kipsang, Elkana Angwenyi and Muinde Matheka will be among those to watch in the 1,500m.

Dames
The womens 5,000m could also produce fireworks as Olympic silver medallist, Isabella Ochichi, rekindle her rivalry with three-time world 4km champion, Edith Masai. Apart from the two, Lisbon Half Marathon champion, Salina Kosgei, will want to pull an upset.While the three will be battling in 5,000m, four-time Boston Marathon champion, Catherine Ndereba, will face African champion, Irene Kwambai, in the 10,000m.Also expected to run in the race are former world champion, Sally Barsosio, New York City Marathon runner-up Susan Chepkemei, Monica Wangari and Helen Cherono.At stake will be over 35 air tickets for the African Championships for the African Championships to be held in Mauritius in August 9-13.
This time round, not only the middle and long distance events will provide fi reworks but even the sprints as a number of Nigerian runners are in the country to test themselves against the locals.Apart from the Golden League meetings, which are already in motion, the African event is an important event in the calendar this year and is expected to attract all the countrys bigwigs.It is during the Mauritius event that a team to represent Africa at the World Cup will be picked.

© Kenyan News