In the 10km race, Stanley Waithaka and Dorcas Kimeli highlight the men's and women's races respectively.
Vincent Rono and Emily Chebet will on Sunday, March 19, take on a tough field of athletes at the Lille Half Marathon with a quest to raise the country’s flag high.
In the men’s field, Rono will be lining up as the second fastest with a personal best time of 59:27 behind Kenyan-born Bahraini Abraham Cheroben who has a lifetime best of 58:40.
Rono will enjoy the company of compatriots Alfred Chelal, Sila Kiptoo, Patrick Mosin, Solomon Kipchoge and Ronny Kipkoech. He returns to the course after his dominant win at the 2017 edition.
All eyes will be on the Kenyans considering they are the majority in the field. Youngster Mosin who will be making his debut over the distance is also one to watch. He has dominated the tracks and roads and will be keen to maintain the momentum.
In the women’s category, Chebet is the fastest in the field with a personal best time of 1:08:01. Ethiopia’s Addisie Mislenew, her closest challenger, lines up with a personal best time of 1:09:34. Chebet will be joined by compatriot Faith Chepkoech who is the third fastest in the field with a PB of 1:10:34.
In the 10km race, the two big favourites in the men’s and women’s races respectively will be 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka and Dorcas Kimeli.
Meanwhile, the 5km category has attracted two-time world indoor 3000m champion Yomif Kejelcha and world 5000m silver medallist Jacob Krop who will have his eyes on the world record. Youngster Reynold Kipkorir, the world under-20 5000m champion, will also be in the race.
In the women’s category, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai will be eyeing top honours as she lines up against Ethiopia’s Mekides Abebe.