Quartet confirmed for third Grand Slam Track leg in Philadelphia

Kenya will be represented by the quartet of Agnes Ngetich, Mary Moraa, Ronald Kwemoi and Edwin Kurgat in the third event of the inaugural Grand Slam Track scheduled for Philadelphia on 31 May and 1 June.

The four were confirmed among a full field of 96 Racers and Challengers who will compete for top money in the Slam to be held at the historic Franklin Field on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

In the Kenyan group, only long-distance runner Kurgat will be making his debut in the new-look professional track competition, with the others having taken part in the first two events in Kingston and Miami respectively.

World Championships gold medalist Moraa will run in two events in Philadelphia - the women’s short distance 800m and 1500m - where she will be looking to build on her impressive outing in Miami last time out.

After failing to finish in the podium in the season-opener in Jamaica, Moraa earlier this month won the women’s 800m race in a season best time of 1:59.51, which helped her finish third on the group standings.

Standing on her way in Philadelphia will be Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, world indoor silver medalist Nikki Hiltz and Australia’s Jessica Hull.

Women’s-only 10km world record holder Ngetich meanwhile will also be keen to extend her brilliant season after emerging overall winner in the women’s long distance in Miami.

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The 24-year-old clocked personal bests in the 3000m and 5000m races, but will only contest in the 3000m.

Her sprint finish over Medina Eisa will be on top of her head as the two collide once more, with Ethiopia’s Egayehu Taye joining the fray.

The men’s 3000m long-distance race will offer Kwemoi a chance to finally prove himself as a programme racer, following his two not-so-impressive outings thus far.

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The Olympic silver medalist has not finished higher than fourth in both the 5000m and 3000m races, with his season-best time in the former coming in Miami.

He will be flanked by debutant and challenger Kurgat, who is fresh off last weekend’s Doha Diamond League, where he finished fifth in the 5000m race.