Former World Athletics Under 20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and 1500m silver medallist counterpart Brenda Chebet are the Athletics Kenya (AK) two-kilometre cross-country trials winners.

The duo leads the team that will represent the country in the two-kilometre relay at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Australia next year.

The top three finishers in the Ruiru race held on Saturday were included in the Kenyan team with the fourth and fifth-placed added as reserves.

The event hosted at the Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru aimed to select Team Kenya for the global cross-country championships that are set for Bathurst, Australia on 18th February next year.

Wanyonyi clocked 05:23.8 minutes to win the race ahead of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Daniel Munguti who came home at 05:24.6. Mathew Kipsang completed the podium places at 05:25.2.

World Indoor 800m silver medallists Noah Kibet and Amos Kiprotich finished in fourth and fifth places in 05:26.3 and 05:26.9 denying Abel Kipsang who came in sixth a chance in the team.

“I had a good race and the course was manageable. This was my third cross-country event this year as I was in Kapsokwony where I competed in eight kilometres race and Iten two kilometres race to prepare for the trials.

“I feel my body is responding well to training and since we have more time to prepare before February, we will be in top shape for this. I am also using the cross country as part of my preparations for next year’s track events,” added Wanyonyi.

Meanwhile, Chebet clocked 06:04.4 to win the women’s race ahead of Miriam Jerop (06:07.7) and World Steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech who finished third in 06:11.1. Betty Chelangat and Celestine Jepkosgei took up the fourth and fifth places respectively.

“I got into cross country running this year and did two relays before today’s two-kilometre race and I am happy for this win,” Chebet said.