Jepleting fires warning shot in KDF race

Selah Jepleting celebrates as she crosses the line during this year’s Shoe4Africa 9th edition race at Iten grounds on December 24, 2014. [PHOTO: FILE]

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) cross-country Championships will on Saturday see Kenyan top athletes converge at Kahawa Barracks for the annual event.

Fresh from winning Shoe4Africa 5km road race in Iten last December, Selah Jepleting will face off with Africa 1,500m champion Hellen Onsando Obiri, marathon runner Jemima Jelagat Sumgong and world champion 10,000m silver medalist Gladys Cherono.

Jepleting, who recently won the fifth leg of Athletics Kenya cross country meeting in Machakos, is optimistic of booking a ticket for the World cross country Championships to be held on March 28 in Guiyang, China. But she will be cautious not to rule out the abilities of Obiri, Jelagat and Cherono.

"I have been training very well for the race and I'm capable of winning the race, but I cannot rule out Obiri, Jelagat and Cherono, who have more experience. I will fight with them to the tape," the KDF runner based in Gilgil said.

The athlete, who is currently training in Iten, said she had been preparing well for the event and her goal is to make the national team to the World cross country championships.

She also needs to prove to Kenyans that her Glasgow Commonwealth Games show was no fluke. She also made the national team to inter-continental championships in Morocco and confirmed she will exhibit her top form come Saturday.

"I have been training in Nyahururu, but I was given time on Sunday to train here in Iten as this is one of the best training areas around," added Jepleting.

The athlete, who has her personal best of 4:08 in 1,500m said she expects bumper harvest this season, more so, during the World Cross Country.

"As the new competitive season begins, I expect good results as I have to go for various Diamond League meetings," added Jepleting.

Mark Kiptoo, the reigning Frankfurt marathon champion will be facing tough competition at the event. Meanwhile, former world cross country champion Joseph Ebuya will not be competing in this year's championships following his below par performance last year.