Chris Musumba
1 October 2008
Nairobi — Lameck Mokono Mosoti has been included in the Kenya team to this year's World Half Marathon in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, on October 12 replacing top ranked Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru.
Five other athletes Francis Larabar, Elijah Keitany, Lenah Cheruiyot, Philes Ongori and Philomena Cheyech have since been dropped from the provisional squad as Athletics Kenya (AK) named a final nine member squad that will jet out on October 9 for the Brazilian capital.
Both Mekubo Mogusu and Julia Muraga will fly straight to Rio from their base in Japan.
AK secretary General David Okeyo said, ranking was used in naming the final squad that will battle it out with the rest of the world to retain the overall team title that Kenya seized in 2006 and successfully defended in last year's championship in Udine, Italy.
Former steeplechase runner Patrick Sang will lead the team as coach cum team manager.
Kenya is fielding a strong squad of talent, despite the withdrawal of Olympic marathon champion and current record holder in half marathon Samuel Wanjiru.
The Kenyan squad has the men silver and women bronze medallists from last year event Patrick Makau Musyoki and Pamela Chepchumba.
Two of the five runners in the men's team have registered a sub 60 minute time. Musyoka has an impressive personal best of 58.56 which he set last year while Stephen Kibiwot (59.54).
The women's field is no less impressive with Philes Ongori the fastest at 67.57, well known Pamela Chechumba who won the Bogota Half Marathon in July heading the list in women race.
Dutch woman Lornah Kiplagat won last year's event in 66.25 while Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese took the men title. Kenya has been as dominant in the championship winning the overall men and women team titles for the last two years.
Both Kiplagat and Tadese had dismal performance at the Beijing Olympic Games but both will be out to defend their crowns in their respective categories.
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