Kenya's Kamworor to skip C'wealth Games, eyes gold at World Half marathon

NAIROBI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- New York marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya has ruled himself out of the Commonwealth Games, saying he will only focus on running at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain on March 24.

Kamworor, who won the Kenya Police championships in Nairobi, also says he has no intentions of running at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Chlef, Algeria.

"I was keen to win the police cross country competition for my team. Now the focus shifts to World Half marathon. It gives me a good leverage ahead of my title defence in Valencia," said Kamworor on Sunday.

The reigning New York City Marathon champion won the World Half Marathon title in 2014 Copenhagen and 2016 Cardiff.

"I will only defend World Half Marathon and New York City Marathon titles this year," added Kamworor.

With no Ethiopians and Arab athletes in the Commonwealth Games, Kenya should have an easy walk through the pack in the long distance races.

This year's Commonwealth Games will be held in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4-15. Enditem