Athletics Kenya names squad for World Half Marathon and Club Games

Two-time world half marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor and world 21km record holder Joyceline Jepkosgei head Kenya's squad to the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships set for Valencia, Spain, on March 24.

Kamworor won his first title in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2014 and then successfully defended the crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 2016.

It will be a re-enactment of the Cardiff showdown where Kamworor marshalled forces with world half marathon silver medalist Bedan Karoki to silence homeboy Mo Farah.

The team features world cross country silver medalist Leonard Barsoton, two-time Eldoret Family Bank 21km winner Jorum Okombo Lumbasi, Barselius Kipyego, the Usti and Labem half marathon winner in Czech Republic last year. Kenya Defence Forces' Alex Oloitiptip, a cross country regular, is on the reserve list.

All the athletes posted sub 59 in half marathon last season with Kamworor (59:10), Kipyego (59:51), Lumbasi (58:48) and Oloitiptip (58:51). Karoki ran 59:36 under rainy conditions in Cardiff.

Athletics Kenya also named a new look squad to the 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, in April. They are Kenneth Mburu, Nicholas Kamakya and Julius Karinga while women team are Sheila Jerotich, Shelmith Muriuki and Hellen Nzembi.

 

WORLD HALF MARATHON TEAM

 

MEN: 21km

 

1.    Geoffrey Kamworor

2.    Bedan Karoki

3.    Joram Okombo

4.    Leonard Barsoton

5.    Barselius Kipyegon

 

WOMEN

1.    Joyseline Jepkosgei

2.    Fancy Chemtai

3.    Ruth Chepngétich

4.    Pauline Kaveke

5.    Mary Wacera.

 

COMMONWEALTH MARATHON TEAM

MEN

1.    Kenneth Mburu

2.    Nicholas Kamakya

3.    Julius Karinga

 

WOMEN

1.    Sheila Jerotich

2.    Shelmith Muriuki

3.    Hellen Nzembi?