By JONATHAN KOMEN
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Action galore is expected when Safaricom/Athletics Kenya (AK) stage its fourth relay series at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani tomorrow.
The meet, which comes after the third leg at Nyayo Stadium a fort night ago, sets the grand stage as campaigns for places in Kenya’s team to the inaugural IAAF World Relay Championships set for Nassau, Bahamas, between May 24 and 25, enter homestretch.
AK public relations officer Evans Bosire said they expect to fashion a strong team that would win medals in Bahamas.
“We are asking sprinters in the relay events to turn up. We will straight events starting with 400m, 100m, 4x1500m, 200m and 4x400m then 4x100m, 4x800m.
“We want athletes to report at Kasarani at 8am. Even those whose names did not feature in the AK list are welcome,” said Bosire.
World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will lead the men charges in the 4x15,00m contest and need to be at their best to improve their third-spot they posted in Nyayo.
Ironically, Kenyan men are the world 4x800m record holder. Kenya holds the world record for the men’s 4x800m at 7:02.43, set in Brussels in 2006, and the 4x1500m at 14:36.23, set in 2009 in Brussels.
Kiprop, who has also vowed to attack the world 1,500m record at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Monaco in July, will team up with Hillary Maiyo, Vincent Kibet and former 1,500m sensation Bernard Kaptingei in the 4x1,500m race.
The 25-year-old Kiprop said: “We want to form a strong team for Bahamas. And I think we are building on well.”
He will be up against a team that has former world 1,500m silver medalist Silas Kiplagat, Robert Kaptingei and Geoffrey Rono.
Nixon Chepseba, the Olympic and world championships runner, leads Collins Cheboi, Mathew Kiptanui and Frankline Kiplagat.
Mountainous task
Caleb Mwangangi, fresh winning world Indoor 3,000m title in Sopot Poland, has a mountain to climb as he leads Zablon Chumba of Complete Sports in Kaptagat, former world junior silver medalist James Magut and Vincent Leting in the campaign for prized tickets to Bahamas.
Bethwel Birgen, Nicholas Melly, Bernard Kipkorir and former world indoor champion Daniel Kipchirchir Komen form another formidable force.
World 800m champion Eunice Sum, who has missed out in the relay series, is expected in the 4x800m women’s front to lead Agnes Mulee, Miriam Chepkemboi and Jacinta Abesi while Sylvia Chesebe will lead Monica Bett, Hellen Mateelong and Janeth Chepkosgei.
Fireworks are expected in the 4x1,500m battle when former Olympic champion Nancy Jebet Lagat teams up with Sela Jepleting, Mercy Chebet and Margaret Murinjo; all against reigning world junior 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich, former Africa junior bronze medalist Fancy Cherotich, former World Youth 1,500m runner Sheila Chepng’etich and Caroline Chepkemoi.
