Top clash is expected at Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru on Saturday December 10 as Athletics Kenya host World Cross Country trials to pick to represent the country at in Bathurst, Australia.
The athletes will battle out in different categories, including the 10km senior men and women, 8km under-20 men, 6km under-20 women and the newly introduced 2km relays which will be used to pick the mixed relay squad.
The meeting is a culmination of the cross-country series that kicked off in October in Machakos, Kapsokwony, Sotik Ol Kalou with Iten hosting the fifth and final leg.
some of the elite athletes shortlisted for the trials includes Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu, world half marathon silver medalist Kibiwott Kandie, three-time world half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, 2018 World Under 20 5000m champion Edward Zakayo and world 10,000m silver medalist Stanley Waithaka Mburu.
Japan-based Mburu and Siumu will hope to continue with a streak of good performance as the ticket to Australia.
Officials say it remains unclear if Kamworor will be eyeing the ticket or use the meeting as his preparations towards his future assignments.
In the women’s category, Commonwealth Games 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet will take on former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai, the winner of Iten weekend meet.
Other notable performers in the race will be Africa 1500m silver medalist Purity Chepkirui. Commonwealth Games 3000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech, world 3000m steeplechase and Olympian Edinah Jebitok.
The selection criteria for the Under-20 women 6km, Under-20 men 8km, and 10km senior women and men will be based on the first six athletes across the line.
The seventh and eighth athletes will be selected as reserves.
Ak had to alter their calendar of events to accommodate the deadline for application for the visa which is on December 11.
It is noted that the processing of the visa takes at least two months.
