World silver medalist Cheruiyot leads Kenya quest for Antrim XC

NAIROBI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's world 1500m silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot will compete at the Antrim International Cross Country in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

The race, which is part of the IAAF cross country permit meeting, will help the Kenyan gauge his endurance as he seeks to make the team to the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England in March.

Cheruiyot, 22, finished second behind compatriot Elijah Manangoi in London World Championships last August after also taking silver at the 2016 African Championships.

Cheruiyot was third in this race last year with Bahrain's Aweke Ayalew triumphing in competitive setting.

"It was a strong challenge that was settled in the final 50 meters through a sprint finish. I missed my steps and had it hard to beat Ayalew and second finisher Uganda's two-time former winner Thomas Ayeko. But this year it will be different and hopefully, I will be able to claim the title," said Cheruiyot on Thursday.

Morocco's world steeplechase medalist Soufiane El Bakali will also run in the event on Jan 6. Ireland's former European cross country champion Fionnuala McCormack is among the women's entries and will compete against Ethiopia's Birtukan Adamu and another former Euro Cross winner Gemma Steel. Andy Vernon and Dewi Griffiths head the British men's entries.

Kenya's Alice Aprot who won last year's race will give the event a bye as she is back in kenya after a month training session in Europe.

Aprot is planning to compete at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Chlef, Algeria in March.

However, like many other hopefuls, she must return home and prove herself at the Kenyan trials in Nairobi in February before securing her ticket to the continental meet. Enditem