World 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich and 2023 world 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Ebenyo will spearhead Kenya’s charge at the World Road Running Championships, scheduled for September 19–20 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Athletics Kenya recently named a formidable 16-member squad to fly the national flag across the half marathon, 5km, and road mile events.
In the men’s half marathon, Ebenyo will feature alongside Gideon Rono, Nicholas Kipkorir, and Michael Kiplangat. Ng’etich leads the women’s 21km contingent alongside Daisilah Jerono, Veronica Loleo and Lilian Kasait.
Ng’etich heads to Copenhagen fresh off clinching her first global title at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, United States of America in January, where she produced a commanding performance to storm to gold in 31:28.
The 25-year-old holds the Kenyan national record over 21km thanks to a blistering 1:03:04 triumph in Valencia in 2024, which stands as the second-fastest time in history behind Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey (1:02:52).
Ng’etich, who also seized the world 10km record with a 28:46 run in Valencia, remains relentless in her pursuit of the half marathon mark after a near-miss effort of 1:03:08 last year.
Meanwhile, Ebenyo returns to the global stage aiming to upgrade his half marathon silver from 2023.
At the Riga championships, Ebenyo famously slowed in the final 200 metres to salute compatriot Sabastian Sawe, who took gold in a course-record 59:10 ahead of Ebenyo’s 59:14.
Buoyed by a strong start to his campaign—including a bronze medal in Tallahassee (28:45) and a resume featuring sub-60 victories in Istanbul, Berlin, and New Delhi—the 30-year-old is focused on capturing his maiden global title.
Kenya’s lineup in the shorter distances is equally competitive. The men’s 5km squad features Charles Kiboino and Commonwealth Games champion Mathew Kipsang, while Prague Half Marathon winner Caroline Gitonga and former African champion Caroline Nyaga lead the women.
In the road mile, African champion Brian Komen and Daniel Munguti carry the men’s hopes, while national champion Naomi Korir and former World U20 medalist Mirriam Cherop represent the women.
