Kenya's elite runners return to action

NAIROBI, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Former World 800m champions Eunice Sum and Janeth Jepkosgei will be among the elite runners returning for Kenya's premier track competition on Saturday.

The duo, like many other elite athletes, who opted to stay away from the Commonwealth Games, are using the event as preparation for the Diamond League, which starts in Doha, Qatar in two weeks' time.

"Our track season continues in Eldoret and we look out for top names to take it seriously as they seek to dominate the Diamond League," coach Julius Kirwa said. "They opted out of the Commonwealth Games for their own reasons and now they must come out because the Diamond League has the best [competitors] in the world."

Kenya's Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha and new Commonwealth Games gold medalist Wycliffe Kinyamal, will face strong challenges from Job Kinyor and Sammy Jirongo.

Nixon Chepseba will seek to redeem his career in the 1500m event against top rivals Asbel Kiprop and Timothy Cheruiyot.

The 2015 World 3000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng, will compete for the first time on the track since winning bronze at the World Championships in London last year.

Kenya will use the local series and national trials to select the team that will travel to the African Championships where the top names will be selected to represent the African team at the Athletics World Cup. Enditem