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NAIROBI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champions Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot were crowned Athletics Kenya Male and Female Athletes of the Year at a gala ceremony here Wednesday night.
Kipchoge won the top male accolade ahead of fellow Rio champions David Rudisha (men 800m) and Conseslus Kipruto (men 3000m steeplechase), with Rio 2016 silver medallists Julius Yego (men Javelin) and Boniface Mucheru (men 400m Hurdles) rounding the shortlist.
"This trophy is not mine but also for the youth of the country. I realise sport is not an easy activity. I have been awarded the best athlete of the year after 13 years," said Kipchoge.
"Do not lose faith, follow my footsteps. My gratitude goes to my family, AK and the media for their love and support," said the two-time London champion who was the second Kenyan to win the Olympic marathon race after the late Samuel Kamau Wanjiru in Beijing 2008.
Following her second female top AK award of her career, Cheruiyot who won 5,000m gold and 10,000m silver at the Summer Games in Brazil announced she would step up to the marathon in 2017.
"I know the selection was not easy and I want to give a special thanks to my husband. He has supported me all through," Cheruiyot said.
"I also want to appreciate the Inspector General (of police) for giving us time to train. Next year I shall be going for the marathon and for the track athletes, who will be representing Kenya, I wish you good luck," the four-time world track champion added.
Olympic women champions Jemimah Sumgong (marathon) and Faith Chepng'etich (1,500m), silver medal winner Helen Obiri (5,000m) and bronze medal winner Margaret Nyairera (800m) rounded the shortlist.
Rudisha and Chepng'etich won the male and female Mid Distance Athletes of the Year with Cheruiyot and Kipruto named the Long Distance Athletes of the Year.
Mucheru and Maureen Thomas received the Male and Female Sprinters of the Year gongs with Kipchoge and Sumgong taking home the Road Running awards.
Yego who won the top award last year was declared the Field Athlete of the Year with Julius Kirwa who led the Kenyan team to the Rio 2016 Olympics named the Coach of the Year.
