Edris, El Bakkali in provisional list for Kip Keino Classic

World 5000m champion Ahmed Edris of Ethiopia and world 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Soufianne El Bakkali are among the foreign athletes that will grace the Nairobi leg of World Athletics Continental Tour.

Athletics Kenya (AK) released the provisional entry list for core events at the meet scheduled for October 3 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The one-day event is classified into three categories; core, discretionary and national events with the core events including; 200m, hammer, triple jump and 3000m steeplechase both for men and women.

Discretionary events include; 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m both for men and women and javelin throw for men.

Also, in the provisional list released by Athletics Kenya (AK) on Tuesday are; world 5000m silver medallist Selemon Barega of Ethiopia and Africa 100m silver medallist Cisse Arthur of Ivory Coast.

World 3000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto is also in the start list and will renew his rivalry with El Bakkali who won the Monaco Diamond League last month.

World Under-20 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Leonard Bett as well and Abraham Kibiwott are also in the mix.

World junior champion Celliphine Chespol is also set to make her first appearance of the season in the women’s Steeplechase event.

National 200m record holder Mike Mokamba and Peter Mwai will take on Cisse Aurthur of Ivory Coast, Rodgers Mike of USA and Dambile Sinesipho of South Africa while Eunice Kadogo is the only Kenyan the corresponding women’s race.

World 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has also been confirmed alongside compatriots Boaz Kiprugut, Timothy Sein, Charles Simotwo, Edwin Melly among others.

World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri and world silver medallist Margaret Chelimo will lead Kenya’s contingent in the race while in the corresponding men’s race world 10,000m bronze medallist Rhonex Kipruto will lead compatriots Jacob Krop and Nicholas Kimeli.

World 800m bronze medallist Ferguson Rotich will lead Kenya’s field alongside African Games silver medallist Cornelius Tuwei and Collins Kipruto.

According to meet director Barnaba Korir, some 175 athletes have expressed interest in the event.

“What we have released today is only a provisional list we will continue updating as we continue receiving confirmation. We are doing everything to make sure the event becomes a success,” said Korir.

Korir explained that the Local Organizing Committee is planning to host the foreign athletes in hotels going by the categories of the events.

Similarly, Korir disclosed that a committee has been set up to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to enforce government regulation on Covid-19 protocols.

The event will commence at 8am in the morning beginning with national events with the core events that will be streamed on is set to start at 4pm in the evening for a period of two hours.

The Kip Keino Classic is the seventh and the last leg of the inaugural series.