REIGNING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLISTS SIGN UP FOR BUPA GREAT EDINBURGH CROSS COUNTRY
Reigning Olympic gold medallists Asbel Kiprop and Brimin Kipruto have confirmed they will compete at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country in January.
The top notch Kenyans, who claimed the 1500 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase titles at the 2008 Beijing Games, will contest the international four kilometre race in Holyrood Park on January 8.
The pair will join a global field which already includes fellow countryman Eliud Kipchoge, a former World 5000m champion, who was runner-up over the distance at the last Olympics in the Chinese capital.
"We're delighted that we have already attracted three of the world's greatest distance runners and it supports our decision in reducing the men's international race distance from 9km to 4km." said Peter Riley, the meeting's elite event co-ordinator.
"The distance was dropped from the world cross country championships a couple of years ago, although it was always popular amongst the athletes.
"Now our initiative has seen enquiries from several other top stars keen to take part and negotiations with their managers are already in the pipeline."
Riley added: "Kiprop, although a metric mile specialist, is more than happy to step up in distance and let's remember, he was the 2007 World Junior Cross Country Champion.
"Kipruto hasn't paid any serious attention to cross country in the past but with his steeplechase background, will be extremely suited to a course which will suit his style of running.
"Kipchoge, the first to be recruited for the race, will be returning to the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country for the fifth occasion and has already expressed his delight at the new distance."
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