IT’S RACE FOR RIO: Focus is on ‘mini Olympics’ in Eldoret today

Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor of Kenya leads the pack in the men's 10,000 metres final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing

Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium is the place to be today and tomorrow.

Top Kenyan runners will be lining up as they battle for slots in the Olympics team as the trials start today.

Youngsters will also be waiting to pull an upset and also make it to Rio ahead of the established names.

A number of races promise cut throat competition as Kenyans strive to show that their top place finish at last year’s World Championships in Beijing, China, was no fluke.

The Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will also provide an opportunity for the local athletes to once again renew their rivalry against some of Kenya’s nemesis in the track that include the Ethiopians and Britain’s Mo Farah.

The three men to compete against the double Olympic champion Farah will be named tomorrow. World 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor, silver medallist Paul Tanui and Bedan Karoki, fourth in Beijing, lead the onslaught for Olympic team spots in 10,000m.

Kamworor expects a wild card in 5,000m where world silver medallist Caleb Ndiku Mwangangi, Olympic medallists Thomas Longosiwa and Edwin Soi battle against Isaiah ‘Chairman’ Kiplang’at, the 2013 world silver medallist and Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jonathan Muia Ndiku for bragging rights.

Four-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi will take on two-time world silver medallist Conseslus Kipruto, 2008 Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto, 2015 IAAF Diamond League Trophy winner Jairus Kipchoge and 2004 Olympic bronze medallist Paul Kipsiele Koech.

Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha is under pressure to perform after two losses to Ferguson Rotich, fourth in Beijing Worlds. They will have world junior champion Alfred Kipketer, former Africa Youth champion Robert Biwott, Olympic bronze medallist Timothy Kitum, former Africa bronze medallist Jackson Kivuva and former world youth 400m hurdles silver medallist Jeremiah Mutai to stop as they strive to book tickets to Rio.

Nelson Yego, Alex Toroitich, Gilbert Bett and Fred Kogo will be hoping they can dethrone world javelin champion Julius Yego.

Yego has not being in good form and was second in Eugene (84.68m), seventh in Oslo (80.90m) and third in Stockholm (83.09m) Diamond League meetings.

World 400m hurdles champion Nicholas Bett, who has not performed well this season will line up against his brother Haroun Koech and Africa champion Boniface Mucheru.

World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will be looking to underline his impressive shows against world silver medallist Elijah Manangoi, 2011 world silver medallist Silas Kiplagat, Betwel Birgen and Collins Cheboi.

Asbel and world silver medallist Faith Chepng’etich have posted good shows in Diamond League Meetings this season.

Chepng’etich will face stiff competition from Nancy Chepkwemoi, Viola Lagat and Selah Jepleting.

The 800m women race will see world bronze medallist Eunice Sum fight it out against world junior champion Margaret Nyairera and former world junior silver medalist Winnie Chebet.

World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng leads Virginia Nyambura, world youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Rosefline Chepng’etich and 2007 All Africa Games champion Ruth Bosibori in battle for Rio tickets.

Sally Kipyego will square it out with Mercy Cherono, Viola Kibiwott, Irene Jelagat and Janeth Kisa in the 5,000m contest while Vivian Cheruiyot will take on Betsy Saina, Sally Kaptich, Gladys Chesir, Irene Chebet Cheptai and Caroline Chepkoech in 10,000m final this morning. Sally Kipyego will also double in 10,000m.

TOMORROW’S PROGRAMME

10am: 400m H Women Final

10:25am: 10,000m Men Final

11am: 200m Women Final

11:10am: 200m Men Final

12:20am 5000m Women Final

12:40am: 400m H Men Final

1pm: 5000m Men Final

1pm: Javelin Men Final

1:25pm: 1500m Women Final

1:35pm: 1500m Men Final

1:45pm: 400m Women Final

1:55pm: 400m Men Final

2:05pm: 3000m SC Women Final

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