NAIROBI, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has put its hopes on Kibiwott Kandie to retain the world half marathon title in Gdynia, Poland on October 17 in the absence of the three-time world champion Geoffrey Kamworor.
Kamworor, who is also the world half marathon record holder, has returned to training after a motorbike accident in Eldoret in June but has opted not to seek his fourth consecutive world half title.
Kandie, 24, was the winner of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 58 minutes and 58 seconds in February. The world leader this year will have the company of Leonard Barsoton, the 2017 world cross-country silver medalist.
The duo has the task of ensuring the title remains in Kenya.
The others in the men's squad include Shadrack Kimining, who finished third at the January's Houston Half Marathon in 59:27, and Victor Kimutai Chumo, winner of the Barcelona Half Marathon in 2019.
The women's team will be led by Pauline Kamulu with a personal best of 1:06:56, Monicah Wanjuhi, who has a 1:09:29 best set last year, Brilliant Jepkorir, Dorcas Kimeli and Dorcas Jepchirchir.
The championships, initially scheduled for March 29, was rescheduled following the global COVID-19 pandemic. Athletics Kenya's vice president Paul Mutwii, who is in charge of competition, is assured of the team's readiness to defend both the individual and team titles in Poland.
"As a team, we are on the right footing in terms of preparations, most members of the team have secured their visas. Generally, the team is in good spirits to deliver the titles," Mutwii told Xinhua on Monday. Enditem
