Kenya names strong team, eyes to recapture men's marathon gold at Commonwealth Games

 

Kenneth Mungara, celebrates after winning the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in Queensland, Australia 2016 [Photo:Courtesy]

Athletics Kenya has named a strong team to recapture the men's marathon title at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games scheduled for April 4 to 15, 2018 in Australia, after they were denied the chance to ascend to the top by Australian Michael Shelley when he won gold in Cardiff, Wales.Kenya is now out to revenge as it named a strong six-member team for the Club Games.

Leading Kenya's quest will be the 2013 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon winner Kenneth Mungara Mburu and 2017 Copenhagen Marathon champion Julius Nderitu Karinga in the men's race. Also joining the team is long distance runner Nicholas Kamakya, who also won the Gold Coast Marathon in 2011 but never clinched any medal as he finished fourth at the 2012 Berlin Marathon.

Shelmith Muriuki, Hellen Nzembi and Sheilah Jerotich were also named by Athletics Kenya to represent Kenya in the women's race. They will face the hard task to successfully defend Kenya's gold and silver medals won by Flomena Cheyech and Caroline Kemboi respectively in the 2014 games in Glasgow, Scotland.

"I believe this team will be able to battle the other teams and excel," Paul Mutwii, the Athletics Kenya Vice President who oversees the competitions, said on Tuesday on Xhinua.

"They have been notified and all have accepted to take the challenge and represent the country," he added