体坛英语新闻：Kenya's Chepngetich to battle for world X-Country berths in China

NAIROBI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sheila and Faith Chepngetich of Kenya have both done well in the junior circles, but their battle in the senior cadre is picking up momentum ahead of the World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China in March, 2015.

Faith, 20, is more experienced and was expected to dominate during the Nyayururu leg of the Kenyan cross country leg, but she was beaten by Sheila, the World Junior 1,500m champion.

With a few more meetings left before the Kenyan trials in February, the two will have enough space to end their war before heading to China in March.

"It is not easy running against Faith. She is good and she knows how to time her running. But I had done well in training and was ready for her. What am not sure is if she was at her peak form, because she can run faster," said Sheila.

The duo beat World Cross Country Champion Emily Chebet, who was making her return to the Kenyan circuit after ten months.

Her last show in a Kenyan championship was back in February, when the country was picking the team to the Africa Cross in Kampala, Uganda.

But the trio hope to make the Kenya team to the World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China on March 28.

"It is my first race this year. I will be back in my form. The world cross is still three months away and running here was meant to gauge my fitness and see where I rank in the competition.

"There is still a lot to be done and I hope to get better as we progress," said Faith.

Faith, who is also the Commonwealth Games 1,500m champion, wants to get better in 2015 and apart from competing at the World Cross, she also plans to return to China in summer and try her luck in the four-lap race.

Faith holds a personal best time of 3:56.98, which she got last year in Doha. However, on her planned second appearance at the world championships, she will be eyeing to improve on both her time and the position after finishing fifth in Moscow in 2013.

"I want to win gold in Beijing. I missed out in 2013 and am sure, I will be ready for the competition this time round. Beijing looks a good place to hunt for it and hopefully, I will maintain good form and stay clear of injury to attain this goal," she said.

But that is a matter that will come later. For the time being, it is important to build on her endurance levels to boost her chances of winning her first senior medal in cross country in Guiyang, a feat Sheila is also targeting.

"We have a lot in common with Faith," said 19-year-old school student Sheila. "But at the world cross we will be a team. The biggest hurdle is to get to the Kenya team and that is where we will settle our small differences. There will be more than just Faith and Emily Chebet."

"I am very happy with my shape. My training is going on well in Iten during this school holidays and I hope to maintain it for the World Cross Country next year."

In the men's 12km race, 2014 African Cross Country Championships fifth-place finisher Philip Langat prevailed in 34: 57 for a clear-cut win over Emmanuel Kipsang in 35:15.

"My dream is to win the World Championship title in China next year. I have improved greatly after my first international cross country (the African championships) this year in Uganda," said Langat, a policeman who trains in Kericho with 2011 world cross- country silver medallist Paul Tanui.

Julius Tanki, 17, and Sandra Chebet, 18, won the men's and women's junior races respectively and could be names to watch at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China, on March 28. Enditem