Gold favourites: Chepng'etich and Obiri to raise the bar in 1,500m race

Helen Obiri representing KDF outsprints Faith Chepngetich to win 1500m women race during the Athletics Kenya National Championship at Nyayo Stadium on 7-06-2014.DENNIS OKEYO

World Indoor silver medalist Hellen Obiri and former 1,500 World Junior champion Faith Chepng’etich are expected to raise adrenaline when they parade in the 1,500m round one contest at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, tonight.

The duo, who were part of the 4x1,500m winners at the IAAF World Relay Championships in Bahamas, will spearhead Kenya’s title defence bid this afternoon at 2:35pm. Former Olympic champion Nancy Jebet Lagat won gold in this speciality in 2010 in New Delhi.

Obiri is in imperious form, having shattered two records this season. She made a night for Kenya to remember when she set the Africa 3,000m record in 8:20.68 at the IAAF Diamond League opening leg in Doha, Qatar, last May before breaking the US all-comers 1,500m meet record at the Diamond League race in Eugene, Oregon.

The Kenya Defence Forces runner is no doubt a brave lioness and will take the challenge that come her way in her strides, literally.

She said: “When I am in good shape, I always don’t hide but display it. For now, my focus will not be on Commonwealth Games gold but to make it to the final stage. I am ready for the big battle, knowing the tough competition we should expect, is no easy. We can’t rule out anyone,” said Obiri.

Made history

Obiri, who won the World Indoor silver medal in Poland last March, stands out as Kenya’s only female athlete to win a 1,500m medal at the IAAF World Athletics Championships. And she can hack it out if her global shows this season are anything to go by.

Obiri will team up with Chepng’etich and Sela Jepleting, who was in Kenya’s squad to the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, last year.

Chepng’etich, a Form Three Student at Winner’s Girls High School in Kuresoi, has had a seamless tranisition since she graduated from the junior ranks last year.

Chepng’etich, who has a season best time of 3:58.01 set in Eugene last May, won World Youth and World Junior Championship records, having set an African record of 3:56.98 at the IAAF Diamond League in Doha, Qatar, last year.

The 18-year-old Chepng’etich has impeccable credentials from the time she won the World Cross-country Junior race at the 39th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, where she finished fourth while running barefoot.

Chepng’etich has an insatiable hunger to expand her fledgling collection with IAAF World Youth and World Junior 1,500m titles safely tucked into her trophy cabinet.

The photogenic girl returned to UK in national jersey after she failed to impress at the Olympic Games.

Sela Jepleting, who comes from Nandi County, can equally pull surprise.