Chelangat out of Kenya Police X-Country, Kamworor eyes ninth title

Sheila Chelangat will not defend her women’s title during the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships due Friday at the Ngong Racecourse.

However, Geoffrey Kamworor will be going for an unprecedented ninth victory in the men’s 10km race.

Kenya Police coach Isaac Kirwa, disclosed Wednesday that Chelangat, who is also the national cross country champion, has personal commitments.

Tokyo Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist, Hyvin Kiyeng, who finished second last year, will also miss out due to personal engagements.

Chelangat from Central led from gun to tape to retain her senior women's 10km title on January 29 last year, clocking 33 minutes and 34.5 seconds to beat Kiyeng to second place in 33:39.5.

Edith Chelimo, who went on to finish fourth at the Berlin Marathon last year, wound up third in 33:40.5 followed by World 5,000m silver medallist Margaret Chelimo in 33:48.7.

Despite Chelangat and Kiyeng’s absence, the women’s field at the Police event will still be saturated with upcoming and seasoned elite athletes.

Margaret, who won the Police title in 2019 and Edith, are back and will be joined by 2015 champion Stacy Ndiwa, 2014 Africa cross country champion Janet Kisa and World 3,000m steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech.

Also in the mix for women’s top honours are the 2013 world 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono among others.

It will be Kamworor’s first race after finishing fourth at the Valencia Marathon in 2:05:23 on December 5 last year.

Kamworor failed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games despite his trailblazing men’s 10,000m victory in 27:01.06 during the Kenyan trials on June 18 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Injuries from a 2020 road accident recurred, forcing him to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics.

Kamworor sealed a record eighth victory at the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships last year in 29: 22.3 seconds, beating Josphat Kiprotich from CIPU and General Service Unit's (GSU) Casinos Masinde to second and third places in 29:52.6 and 30:13.0.

"We expect highly competitive races and a huge turnout noting that this will be a busy year for athletes,"said Kirwa.

Kamworor will take on World 10,000m bronze medallist Rhonex Kipruto, who is the current 10km world record holder, Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Abraham Kibiwott and seasoned Titus Mbishei.

Others in contention are Michael Kibet, Edwin Bett and former world 1,500m champion Elijah Manang’oi, who is making a comeback from a two-year doping ban.

Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal, 2013 World 800m champion Eunice Sum, 400m athlete Maureen Thomas and Mary Moraa will feature in the mixed relay.