Newly-crowned London Marathon champion Jemima Sumgong will Friday morning show her fans what she is made of at the Kenya Defence Forces championships at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani Friday.
Sumgong, of Moi Airbase, will be participating in the 10,000m women’s race alongside defending champion Veronica Nyaruai, a former world junior winner from Laikipia Airbase.
2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gladys Chemweno of Thika, who won bronze last year;
teammate Peninah Arusei, the Africa cross country champion and Thika's Sheila Chepkurui, the 5000m bronze holder, will also be in the fray.
Sumgong was elated with a chance to run at home following her success in London, with her eyes trained and fingers crossed for a chance in the national team to the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.
“My chances in the team to Rio remains high since they (Athletics kenya) had said the top three from London will be considered,” said Sumgong, still spotting a bandaged head following her fall on Sunday.
“However, competition on the ladies side is very his since most have hit best times in recent races. We are just going to wait and see what criteria AK uses in the selection.”
She said her fall on Sunday never disoriented her. “I knew this was just one of the many challenges that I had prepapred myself for,” said the Kenya Airforce runner. “Luckily, the pace remained constant after we fell and I was therefore able to catch up with the rest.”
Emmanuel Kipsang, who successfully retained his 10,000m title on Wednesday, will be seeking to make it a double, again when he parades in the shorter distance.
“I will be out to defend my title. I know it will be tough since I will be facing fresh athletes but I am prepared for it,” he observed.
Kipsang faces familiar faces in the likes of Leonard Oloitiptip, Mark Kiptoo, Kiplimo Kimutai, John Chepkwony, Geoffrey Kirui, and Wilson Too.
All Africa Games walk champion Grace Wanjiru of Moi Airbase retained her 20km walk title this morning in a time of 1:38:06 ahead of Kahawa’s Lindah Waweru (1:46:18) as Esther Murugi of Mtongwe bagged bronze in 1:50:28.
Simon Wachira of Gilgil won the men’s version in 1:26:50; followed by Lanet’s Samson Misangu (1:32:44) and Nanyuki’s John Gitau (1:33:15).
The three day event comes to a close tomorrow (Friday) with finals action expected in the men’s 1500m, 800m (men and women), 3000m steeplechase (men) and sprints.