World 5,000 metres champion Benjamin Limo is among a number of top Kenyan athletes who will not run at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March.
Limo, who won silver at the last Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, said he was focusing on the World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on April 1-2.
“There are many young runners out there who can launch their careers at the Commonmwealth Games and Athletics Kenya should consider them for that,” Limo told Reuters after winning a 4-km race at the Armed Forces Championships on Saturday.
Other athletes who have announced they are almost certain to miss the Commonwealth Games are Sammy Kipketer, who won 5,000 metres gold in Manchester, double world cross country champion John Kibowen and Shadrack Korir who won the men’s 12-km race at Saturday’s championships.
Kenya’s athletes may be swayed by the prize money on offer at the world cross-country championships as opposed to the Commonwealth Games where Britain and its former colonies compete.
Leading results at the Kenya’s Armed Forces Championships in Thika, 60 kms north of Nairobi :
4-km women 1. Jeruto Kiptum 13 minutes 48.7 seconds 2. Monica Otwori 13:50.4 3. Jane Nyambura 14:05.6 4. Susan Muthoni 14:15.0 5. Catherine Mutwa 14:15.2 6. Josephine Wanjiku 14:24.8
8-km women 1. Irene Kwambai 27:57.6 2. Sally Barsosio 28:23.7 3. Naomi Mugo 28:35.0 4. Iness Chenonge 28:53.8 5. Peninah Arusei 29:38.0 6. Chemaringo Chematia 31:41.0
4-km men 1. Benjamin Limo 11:30.5 2. Sammy Kipketer 11:31.2 3. John Kibowen 11:31.5 4. Joshia Matui 11:32.8 5. Muneria Kiplimo 11:37.3 6. Elijah Kibwalei 11:38.2
12-km men 1. Shadrack Korir 35:15.7 2. Patrick Ivuti 35:18.0 3. Abraham Cherono 35:31.7 4. Philemon Kipsang’ 35:34.8 5. Stephen Koech 35:50.4 6. William Chebon 35:52.4