Kenya's Tirop to compete at BoClassic 10km race in Italy

NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- World Championships 10,000 meters bronze medalist Agnes Tirop of Kenya on Sunday confirmed she will be eyeing the gold medal at the BoClassic 10km race in Bolzano, Italy on the New Year's Eve.

Tirop, was in top form in her native race in Iten on Saturday where she won and said her focus is on winning the Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medal in April in Australia.

However, she will have some unfinished business ahead of the New Year, when she travels to Italy for the BOclassic road 10k.

"Italy will be cold and I want to test my endurance in the winter after having good performance in cross country. I have no information if my management will allow me to compete at the Africa Cross Country in Algeria," she said from Eldoret.

Tirop will come up against an incredible field with reigning European champion in marathon Christelle Daunay and compatriot Margareth Chelimo, who was fifth in World Championships in London over the 5,000m distance.

Others are Middle distance runner Margherita Magnani representing the local Italians.

In the men's race, World champion 5000m Edris Muktar from Ethiopia will close the year competing in the event together with German Homiyu Tesfaye.

Tirop said she is preparing well for the race. She is eyeing a slot in the Kenya Commonwealth Games team next year in Australia where she will be seeking a gold medal in the 10,000m.

"It's unfortunate the Ethiopians will not be participating in the Commonwealth Games next year where I will be seeking to win the 10,000m title. I wanted to meet with them (Ethiopians) after they beaten me in the World Championships in London last August," she added. Enditem