Athletics Kenya (AK) on Tuesday 16 April released a list of invited athletes for the five disciplines set to be competed as national events in the continental tour event slated for 20 April at Nyayo
In the absence of defending champion Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, this year’s Kip Keino Classic men’s 10000m will have a new champion.
Athletics Kenya (AK) on Tuesday 16 April released a list of invited athletes for the five disciplines set to be competed as national events in the continental tour event slated for 20th April at Nyayo Stadium.
Last year, Ebenyo clocked 28:09.93 to win ahead of Edwin Seko (28:30.05) and Stanley Njihia (28:30.61). The federation is yet to release entries for the discretionary and core categories thus it is unclear whether Simiu, the world half marathon silver medalist, will feature in the 5000m.
Last year’s silver medalist in the distance, Seko, heads to the competition as one of the favourites as will 2022 winner Julius Kipkwony and Rueben Longosiwa who has been a constant particpant in the race in past editions, finishing fourth behind his sibling Abraham, in 2022. The 30-man start list only has one foreign athlete, Abdullahi Adan Nageye.
The national events include the women’s 400m, men’s 400m hurdles, men’s triple jump, shot put, and the 10000m.
Mercy Chebet, third in the women’s 400m last year, veteran Maureen Thomas, fifth last year, and Jackline Nanjala who finished last have gotten the nod. Wiseman Were leads the charge in the men’s 400m hurdles with long jump defending champion, Isaac Kirwa, headlining the triple jump list.
The battle for the shot-put title pits holder Peter Mwangi against his closest challengers from last year Benson Wachira and Fredrick Chumba in an 8-man entry list.