Nairobi — World 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot wound up her training on Wednesday with an assurance that she will claim one of the medals missing from her glittering collection, as the 17th Safaricom Senior Africa Athletics Championship enters its second day at the Nyayo National Stadium.

After months of preparations, the Kenyan trio of Cheruiyot, Innes Chononges and Esther Chemutai carry the country's hopes in the final of the 12-lap race from 4.40pm.

The main challenge will come from Ethiopia's four-time world indoor 3,000m champion Meseret Defar who is seeking to reclaim the title she won four years ago in Bambous, Mauritius.

Joining her in the charge against the Kenyan rivals will be IAAF Diamond League 3000m/5000m points leader Sentayehu Ejigu and 2008 world junior 5,000m champion Sule Utura.

The uncertainty over the participation of Defer looks to have been resolved as Ethiopia released its final list of entrants on Wednesday. In the list are Defer, Ejigu and Utura while the fourth athlete, Hiwot Ayalew, has been omitted.

"There have been doubts over Defer, but that is common with Ethiopia. All I know is whether she is there or not, I have to run my own race and that is how I have prepared," said Cheruiyot, whose day job is that of a policewoman with the CID department.

Twice, Cheruiyot has raced against the Ethiopian pair of Defer and Ejigu and she has already beaten both this season.

"We have raced against each other many times and Nairobi will provide a different atmosphere. It depends on how one takes it. I want to win here and they also want the gold," said Cheruiyot.

Cheruiyot holds the season's best time in the 5,000m race of 14:27.41 but that will count for nothing when she comes up against the Ethiopians this afternoon. Cheruiyot lost to Defer in Doha during the World Indoor Championship in March.

"The pace of the race will be crucial in determining who wins. There are other athletes who like it slow, others fast, but we will sit down as the Kenyan team and plot the best way to counter any challenge and I believe both Chenonge and Chemutai are well prepared," said Cheruiyot.

Rwanda's Claudette Mukasakindi also has potential to steal a slot on the medal podium, but being the only candidate from the tiny country, she faces a litmus test to break through in this race where teamwork will be a huge advantage.

But while the attention will be on the duo, Cheruiyot has cautioned that Ejigu, could play the spoiler's role.

"She has come from nowhere and taken us by surprise. It, however, does not mean that she is the favourite, but it is important to watch out for such people. They can surprise anyone on a good day."