Ugandan runners Jacob Araptany and Benjamin Kiplagat will line up in a pack of 16 runners for the 3000m steeplechase at the IAAF Diamond League leg of Doha on Friday night.
The pair, who arrived in Qatar on Thursday, will have their first competitive seven-and-a-half water jump race of the season nine months since they partook in the Moscow Championships.
Having struggled with an injury since last summer, national record holder Kiplagat wants to make 8:15. “I have had two good months in Eldoret and my body has responded well,” Kipagat said. “The season is just beginning, I need to start the race well and I hope to make a time under 8:15.”
Kiplagat and Araptany will wrestle another bunch of 10 Kenyans runners including World and Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi. Kemboi was an international guest at last month’s Uspa Annual Awards Gala held at the Imperial Royale Hotel.