The Kenyan marathon team will be led by world record holder Brigid Kosgei and Kelvin Kiptum, the second-fastest marathoner in history, at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Paul Mutwii, vice president and director of competitions for Athletics Kenya, revealed the team’s eye-catching selection on Friday night.
The 2023 London Marathon was won by Kiptum, a relative newcomer to the elite marathon running scene, in 2:01:25 on April 23, the second-fastest time in history behind two-time Olympic champion and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:09).
This occurred just four months after the 23-year-old set a new record for the quickest marathon debut in Valencia, where, on December 4, 2022, he also set a new course record and finished in the fourth-best pace of 2:01:53.
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, who owns gold medals from the world cross country and half marathon championships, will join Kiptum in the men’s squad. At the World Championships held in Oregon the previous year, Kamworor came in fourth.
The men’s team is completed by Titus Kipruto, who came fourth at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon. Michael Githae, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games, and Timothy Kiplagat, who took second at the Rotterdam Marathon in April, are selected as backups.
Olympic silver medallist Kosgei, who did not complete the London Marathon, will guide the women’s squad as she attempts to return to the podium.
Rosemary Wanjiru, the Tokyo Marathon champion, and Sheila Chepkirui, who came in fourth place in London, were both selected for the women’s squad as Kenya looks to defend the championship it last won at the 2019 World.
Barcelona Marathon runner-up Sally Chepyego Kaptich and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Margaret Wangari are the reserves of the Kenyan women’s team.
The 2023 World Championships will take place in Budapest from August 19 to 27.
