NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan trio of Bethwell Birgen, Vincent Kibet and Justus Soget are set to compete at the Bislett Oslo Diamond League meeting on Thursday in Norway.
In the absence of world champion Elijah Manangoi and Diamond League trophy winner Timothy Cheruiyot, Kenya will have to rely on the trio to dominate the mile distance, which is one of the most famous races in the meeting.
"We will be very prominent at the Bislett Games and hope to enjoy fast race. This year it is important to run tactically because we have the World Championships lined up at the end of the season," said Birgen.
However, they will be up against a strong challenge led by Norwegian mile record-holder Henrik Ingebrigtsen, who holds the current meet record of 3:50.72.
This year, his two younger brothers Filip and Jakob will both challenging, not only for victory but also trying to smash their elder brother's record.
There is also a strong African presence headed by a former Dream Mile winner Ayanleh Souleiman from the tiny East African nation of Djibouti.
His credentials are very evident; a former world indoor champion plus a fourth place at Rio Olympics combined with a personal mile best of 3:47.37 makes him the obvious favorite.
"There is even USA's John Gregorek, but it will be down to the preparation and the hunger to win the race. I want to stamp my authority in the race and this provides the best platform for me now that Manangoi and Cheruiyot are not competing," said Birgen.
There will also be world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech taking on world champion Emma Coburn (USA) in the 3000m steeplechase.
Chepkoech currently leads in the standing with eight points following her exploits in Shanghai on May 18, where she set a world leading and meeting record time 9:04.53 to win the race. She will lead seven other Kenyans in the race.
Other Kenyans are Fancy Cherono with a best time of (9:31.00) this year, Celliphine Chespol (9:11.10) Daisy Jepkemei (9:15.03) Norah Jeruto (9:12.99) Hyvin Kiyeng (9:00.01) and Caroline Tuigong (9:36.36).
Only three Kenyans will be taking part in the 3000m men event, Paul Tanui, Davis Kiplagat and Cornelius Kangogo with stiff competition expected from double commonwealth champion Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, Ethiopia's Edris Muktar and his compatriot Milkesa Mengesha.
From Oslo the Diamond League moves to Rabat of Morocco on June 16, before Kenyan athletes return home for the Africa Games qualifiers in Nairobi on June 20-22.
