NAIROBI, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- New York marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor has put up his name for selection as he wishes to defend his world half marathon title in Valencia in March.
Kamworor, who had in 2016 put aside his road racing ambitions so as to focus on track competition and running at the Olympics, said he wants to retain the title and also compete at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in April.
"It will be my joy if I will be given an opportunity to go and defend my world half marathon title next year. I am not in a hurry to specialize only in road races," said Kamworor, who returned home on Thursday from New York.
"I can still compete on the track and the cross country. I do believe we have an opportunity to reclaim the 5,000m and 10,000m titles," he said.
Kamworor will be looking for his third successive title after winning in Copenhagen in 2014 and Cardiff in 2016.
With a huge reservoir to pick from, Kenya coaches will be spoilt for choice on who will be carrying the country's flag in Valencia.
The women's team will be led by Joyciline Jepkosgei, who kept her stellar 2017 momentum alive by winning at the Valencia Half Marathon, taking one second off her own world record to clock 1:04:51.
Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya is pushing to rename the Nyahururu Stadium after the late former Beijing Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru. The move is aimed to attract sponsors who will help to renovate the famous facility.
"Former Kenya's Olympic body chairman Kipchoge Keino had promised a name change, which would play a big role in getting funding. Our hope now rests with the county government and the current NOCK chairman Paul Tergat meeting this pledge," said country branch chairman John Wachira.
