NAIROBI, Kenya, April 16- Arrangements are complete for the London Olympics men 10,000m mini trials scheduled for Tuesday at Nyayo National Stadium.
The event will see 30 elite invited athletes contest for 15 slots in the squad that will travel for the June 2 Pre Fontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon for the final Olympics trials where three will be selected for the London Games.
Speaking to Capital Sport, Athletics Kenya (AK) relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, said the programme will start with the relays at 12:30pm (+3GMT) local time with the 10,000m final slated for 3:00pm.
“We have finalised the programme that will also feature other races in the sprints and relays to aid athletes in those events in their preparations for their bid to qualify for London,” he added.
Last year’s national champion, Peter Kirui, who finished fifth at the Daegu World Championships will however, be missing from the event after taking part in the Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday.
Among those invited to vie for the Pre Fontaine tickets include the world record holder over 10K and 15K Leonard Komon, the World Half Marathon titleholder, Wilson Kiprop and World Cross junior gold winner, Geoffrey Kipsang.
Eliud Kipchoge, the Olympics 5000m silver medallist has been listed to step up the distance as he bids to continue his run in the national team that saw him make his debut at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece.
World Cross senior silver winner, Paul Tanui, All Africa Games silver medallist, Bedan Karoki, Osaka 2007 Worlds bronze winner, Martin Mathathi, former world 10000m junior champion, Josphat Bett and the runner he led across the tape, Titus Mbishei at the 2008 event in Bydgoszcz Titus Mbishei were also included.
The trial for the women race will be held in June during the national championships as AK seeks to bag the elusive gold medals over the distance.
Naftali Temu remains the only Kenyan Olympics champion in 10000m with his victory at the 1968 edition in Mexico with Richard Chelimo (1992) and Paul Tergat twice in 1996 and 2000 coming close to bag the top medal with silver performances.
No Kenyan female has yet medalled at the distance but hopes are high that the duck will broken in London with Linet Masai and Vivian Cheruiyot having won the last two World Championships.
MEN 10000m Pre-Trial squad
1. Lucas Kimeli, 2. Josphat Bett, 3. Paul Tanui, 4. Emmanuel Kipkemei, 5. Leonard Komon, 6. Geoffrey Tanui, 7. Titus Mbishei, 8. Geoffrey Kipsang, 9. Moses Masai, 10. Bedan Karoki, 11. Edward Waweru, 12. Martin Irungu Mathathi, 13. John Kimondo, 14. James Gitahi, 15. John Kimondo, 16. Peter Cheruiyot, 17. Denis Masai, 18. Patrick Muendo, 19. Eliud Kipchoge, 20. Mark Kiptoo, 21. Paul Mutero, 22. Jacob Chesari, 23. Wilson Kiprop, 24. Lewis Korir, 25. Aaron Rono, 26. Kevin Chelimo, 27. Leonard Korir, 28. Stephen Sambu, 29. Paul Lonyangata, 30. Mike Kigen.