KENYAN runner Elijah Kiptoo is looking forward to again taking on the best of local talent at this year’s carnival series.
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The 27-year-old Kiptoo will be joined by his country mates Festus Tallam and Ismael Kombich with the trio competing over the mile distances at each of the main carnivals.
A full-time athlete, Kiptoo hails from Eldoret in Kenya and regularly trains at altitude with his coach and other members of his training group.
He said he expected to do better in this year’s carnivals compared to last year but expected his teammate Kombich to be one to beat with the 29-year-old a member of the Kenyan team that set a world record for the 800 metres relay in Belgium in 2006.
‘‘I am in good form and have been competing in Amsterdam and Italy in world challenge races,’’ Kiptoo said.
‘‘I hope to win one of the mile races but Kombich is the best.’’
Kiptoo and Tallam figured in last year’s inivitational 1600-metre race against Launceston favourite Jake Birtwhistle at the Silverdome, a race that drew thunderous applause from the 3000-strong crowd.
He said he was looking forward to a rematch with Birtwhistle and thought one of the Kenyans could win the race this year.
‘‘We run and work together as a team and want to put on a good show.
‘‘I came second in the mile at Burnie last year but I am keen to get a win – it doesn’t matter where it is.’’
Kiptoo will be in Australia until January 6 before flying home but returns in March for the national track tour.