By Jonathan Komen

Eldoret, Kenya: Kenyan teams to the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, will miss two world-beating female athletes.

World 5,000m and 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot and 2012/2013 World Marathon Majors (WMM) series jackpot winner, Mary Keitany are expectant and are likely to return in 2014 for 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympic Games preparations.

Although the pregnancies emerge as blessings to their families, it could be a challenge to Athletics Kenya and the nation since the two usually serve perennial rivals Ethiopia an adequate dose to put out their fire.

Cheruiyot, who had earlier on decided to concentrate on her athletics career to make hay while the suns shines, has bowed to maternal duties and she is expecting her first born this season.

But Keitany, the 2012 London Marathon winner, is expecting her second born child. Keitany, a mother of five-year-old Jared Kipchumba, did not defend her London Marathon crown last month.

But she was happy that Prisca Jeptoo won the London Marathon.

Cheruiyot was beaming with happiness: “I am very happy to announce that I will take some time off from athletics this year as I am pregnant with my first child.” 

“I have been running for many years and at 29, I feel that now is the right time to start a family.

“Unfortunately I will not be able to defend my World Championships 5,000m and 10,000m titles in Moscow, but I will be back for the 2014 season and the 2015 World T&F Championships in Beijing.

“I have already spoken to some of my colleagues who had babies to get advice about when to return to training after giving birth,” she said.

Cheruiyot, who started running as a Standard Four pupil at Chemwabul Primary School in Keiyo South, is optimistic of gallant comeback after maternity. The 29-year-old, who won both races at the 2011 world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea, took silver and bronze in the 5,000 and 10,000 at last year’s London Olympics.

“My long term goal is to finally win an Olympic gold.”

 The 29-year-old, who won both races at the 2011 world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea, took silver and bronze in the 5,000 and 10,000 at last year’s London Olympics.

In a statement released by her Teddington-based agent Ricky Simms on Wednesday, Cheruiyot said she would resume her career next year.

She had first revealed her decision not to compete in Moscow on Tuesday to FeverPitch but gave no reason for her absence.

Her husband Moses Kiplagat said Cheruiyot will take a one-and-half year leave.