STELLAR CAST FOR POLICE MEET: Cheruiyot and Kiprop among stars set to race

A showdown is expected when National Police Service track and field championships start at Kasarani Stadium tomorrow.

The three-day action, which comes a few days ahead of the first stop of the 2016 IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Doha (Qatar) on May 6, brings together Kenya’s athletics’ top cream as preparations for Olympic Games that run in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August start in earnest.

World and Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha will, however, miss the action.

Isaac Kirwa, the Kenya Police coach, said: “Expect fireworks in women’s race. And with Irene Jelagat in the line-up, it is bad news for the top runners.

“We will have a full-house police team. But most of the athletes will change races as they strive to either sharpen their speed or improve on endurance.”

World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, representing her CID wing, will be longing to arrest a stellar cast in 5,000m.

She will race against two-time world cross-country champion Mercy Cherono, former world 5,000m silver medallist Sylvia Kibet and former world cross-country junior silver medallist Prisca Jepleting.

World 800m bronze medallist Eunice Sum and Sheila Chesang will light up the two lap race showpiece.

Former world indoor medallist Irene Jelagat will be up against world 5,000m silver Faith Chepng’etich and former Commonwealth Youth Games champion Stasy Ndiwa in 1,500m.

World champions Hyvin Kiyeng, Milcah Chemos and silver medallist Lydia Chepkurui will fly the 3,000m steeplechase flag.

In the men’s front, three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will take on silver medallist Elijah Manangoi, Augustine Choge and world 5,000m silver medallist Caleb Mwangangi in 1500m.

Asbel, who basks on his 3:26.69 all-time mark, will take on Chepseba, who has a 3:29.90 best mark in 1,500m, and the 22nd runner in history to break 3:30 barrier.

World 400m hurdles champion will face his elder brother Haroun Koech.