Kipyegon leads all-star Kenyan team for WRRC Riga 23

Fresh from winning the 1500m/5000m double at the World Championships in Budapest, Faith Kipyegon will turn her attention to winning a third global title this year at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 on 1 October.

The multiple world record-holder has been named on Kenya’s team for the championships; the 29-year-old will be contesting the road mile in the Latvian capital in what will be her first ever road race.

She is joined in that event by teammates Nelly Chepchirchir, who recently set a 1500m PB of 3:56.72 in Xiamen, and steeplechase world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech.

World cross-country champion Beatrice Chebet, meanwhile, is selected for the 5km alongside Caroline Nyaga, Lilian Kasait Rengeruk.

And Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir – who set a women-only world record at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships – has been named in the half marathon.

She’ll line up alongside world leader Irine Kimais and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi.

World U20 1500m champion Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot and world indoor bronze medallist Abel Kipsang will represent Kenya in the men’s mile.

The men’s 5km squad is led by Nicholas Kipkorir, who holds the national record at 12:55, and 2022 world 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka Mburu.

Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, the world 10,000m silver medallist, has been selected for the half marathon, alongside three men with sub-59-minute PBs: Benard Kibet, Charles Kipkirui Langat and Sabastian Kimaru Sawe.

KENYAN TEAM FOR RIGA

Mile: Nelly Chepchirchir, Beatrice Chepkoech, Faith Kipyegon

5km: Beatrice Chebet, Caroline Nyaga, Lilian Kasait Rengeruk

Half marathon: Janeth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir, Irine Jepchumba Kimais, Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, Catherine Relin

MEN

Mile: Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot, Abel Kipsang, Kyumbe Munguti

5km: Cornelius Kemboi, Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli, Stanley Waithaka Mburu

Half marathon: Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, Benard Kibet, Charles Kipkirui Langat, Samwel Nyamai Mailu, Sabastian Kimaru Sawe