World record holders David Rudisha (800m) and Wilson Kipsang (marathon) will lead the crème de la crème of Kenyan runners at the annual Athletics Kenya (AK) seminar set for November 26 and 28 at Sirikwa Hotel, Eldoret.
Kenya’s athlete David Rudisha during the 2012 London Olympics
The seminar will culminate in the annual gala where top athletes of the 2012/2013 season will be awarded. The season’s surprise package of Eunice Sum, who won the 800m world title in Moscow to everybody’s amazement, will headline the women’s rooster. She will be accompanied by Boston marathon winner Priscah Jeptoo and the IAAF Samsung Diamond League winner Milka Chemos.
Other world champions invited for the seminar include Edna Kiplagat (marathon), Ezekiel Kemboi (3,000m steeplechase) and Asbel Kiprop (1,500m).
Conseslus Kipruto, who was the only Kenyan to win the IAAF Samsung Diamond League, will be in to lead a star-studded line-up of steeplechasers alongside Kemboi. Captain to the national team, Javelin thrower Julius Yego will lead a host of field events athletes to the seminar.
Yego missed a rare bronze medal in Moscow but his efforts and performance remains one of the best for the country in the recent past in the field events. He will be accompanied by fellow cop Fred Kogo and Alex Kiprotich of Nairobi. AK have promised to cater for accommodation and transport for all the nominated athletes, upon confirmation through their respective regional chiefs.
Edwin Soi of Kenya Defence Forces will lead a list of top 5,000m runners including Isaiah Kiplagat Koech, Thomas Longosiwa, Viola Jelagat Kibiwott, Mercy Cherono, Margaret Wangari among others.
World bronze medallist Paul Tanui tops the list of 10,000m runners including Bedan Karoki, Vincent Chepkok, Gladys Cherono, Emily Chebet and Linet Masai while Geofrey Kipsang Kamworor headlines the half marathoners list that has among others Stanley Biwott, Geofrey Mutai, Lucy Kabuu, Florence Kiplagat and Helah Kiprop. Sprinters will be led by Alphas Kishoyan, Boniface Mweresa, Maureen Jelagat, Joy Sakari and Pamela Jelimo.
By MUIGAI KIGURU, The Star
