Abraham Chebii wins 5000 metres in Paris (© Getty Images)
Nairobi, KenyaAdrenaline levels are running high as the Kenyan World Championships Trials approaches. Track and Field observers are unanimous that these trials - to be held on Friday and Saturday (25 – 26 July) at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani - will be the most competitive of recent times.
Kenya’s middle and distance runners have recorded some most spectacular performances since the European circuit started last month. The man of the moment is Abraham Chebii, the sensational athlete of the season who has twice beaten over 5000m the Ethiopian World record holder Haile Gebrselassie in the Golden League meetings in Paris and Rome.
Chebii returned home last week after winning a 3000m race in Gateshead, England, and went straight into altitude training in Eldoret, for which the North Rift Valley Provincial headquarters, dubbed the world's capital of distance racing, is known.
Which ever race he chooses, 5000m or 10,000m, he has a major task against the home-based boys who remained here to begin early preparations for the tough affair of making the Kenyan team to the Worlds. If he goes for the shorter distance, he will face Commonwealth gold medalist Sammy Kipketer, World junior record holder Eliud Kipchoge, Luke Kipkosgei and Benjamin Limo, only to name the few prominent ones.
Although the reigning World champion Richard Limo has not made headlines this season, he can only be dismissed at great peril.
Also, Kenyan trials are notorious for producing hitherto unknowns, who often treat established world-class stars with disdain and this year's edition can not be ruled out.
If Chebii goes for the 10,000m, he faces an even tougher group. Julius Gitahi will lead a group of Japanese based charges who include the 1998 Commonwealth gold medallist Simon Maina into the trials. There is also the national champion John Cheruiyot Korir and reigning World champion Charles Kamathi, who finished third in 5000m at the Kenyan championships and won the 10,000m at the Spanish championships last weekend.
Although World Half Marathon champion Paul Kosgei, who ran the fastest time ever at altitude on his way to claiming the Kenyan title last year, will be watching the show from the terraces, a victim of an injury, the field still promises enough fireworks.
Then how about the Kenyan parade event, the men’s 3000m steeplechase? There is action galore in store for track fans as Commonwealth silver medallist Ezekiel Kemboi takes on Commonwealth bronze medallist Abraham Cherono. It is not yet confirmed whether Cherono's younger brother, Commonwealth gold medallist Stephen will take part. If he does, the battle could be bloodier than envisaged and even the absence of Olympics and World champion Reuben Kosgei, who has an injury, may not be noticed.
World 1500m silver and Olympic bronze medallist Bernard Lagat, faces a complicated encounter with Cornelius Chirchi,r and teenager Isaac Songok, who won the national title two weeks ago, eager to prove a case for selection. Olympics champion Noah Ngeny has withdrawn from the trials with a hip injury, but his Armed Forces teammate Robert Rono is equally hungry for fame and celebrity status.
Among the women, World 4-km cross country champion Edith Masai is the top favourite in the 5000m where she will fight for a place in the Kenyan team against strong opposition led by Isabella Ochichi, former Boston City Marathon champion Margaret Okayo, and Prisca Jepleting, among others.
Commonwealth gold medalist Selina Kosgei should be unchallenged in the 10,000m but there are the likes of Irene Kwambai and Elizabeth Rumokal who could just upset the formbook.
