WORLD CROSS BATTLE: Elite runners seek berths in global event

Geoffrey Kamworor leads Asbel Kiprop during the during the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships for the fourth consecutive year at Ngong Race in Nairobi on January 16, 2016. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

It’s a do-or-die for Kenya’s world-beating stars who want to make it to the 42nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, on March 26.

The elite stars, who will square it out with a field of upstarts, must put their best foot forward to earn the prized tickets after Athletics Kenya scrapped the traditional wild-card selection criteria.