Brigid Kosgei, Kelvin Kiptum to lead Kenyan marathon team to World Championships

ATHLETICS Brigid Kosgei, Kelvin Kiptum to lead Kenyan marathon team to World Championships

Abigael Wafula 19:17 - 02.06.2023

Kiptum became the second-fastest marathoner behind world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge after his exploits at the London Marathon.

Women’s world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei and reigning London Marathon champion Kelvin Kiptum will lead Team Kenya to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19 to 27.

Kosgei will enjoy the company of Tokyo Marathon champion Rosemary Wanjiru and Valencia Marathon runners-up Sheila Chepkirui.

Kosgei, a two-time Chicago Marathon champion, has been suffering a bout of injuries and hopefully, she will be fully fit by August. She was forced to withdraw from the London Marathon due to an injury and has not competed in any other race after that.

The two-time London Marathon champion opened her season at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon where she finished fourth. Wanjiru has only competed once since the season started, at the Tokyo Marathon, where she won the race.

Chepkirui made her debut over the full marathon at last year’s Valencia Marathon where she finished second. She competed at the London Marathon and finished fourth and has been confirmed for the Boston 10km race on Sunday, June 25. The reserves are Selly Chepyego Kaptich and Margaret Wangari Muriuki.

Kiptum will team up with two-time New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor and the 2022 Milano Marathon Titus Kipruto.

Kiptum became the second-fastest marathoner behind world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge after his exploits at the London Marathon. 

He clocked 2:01:25 to win the race. Kamworor has also been battling a series of injuries but proved to be slowly coming back after his second-place finish at the London Marathon.

The reserves in the men’s race will be Timothy Kiplagat Rono and Michael Mugo Githae.

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