NAIROBI, May 25: Kenya's leading marathon runners were left out of the provisional squad for this summer's IAAF world championships in Osaka after opting not be selected, officials said on Thursday.

Those excluded from the 21-member squad named by Athletics Kenya (AK) secretary David Okeyo include three-time Boston marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot, this year's London marathon winner Martin Lel and the 2006 champion Felix Limo.

Others are world marathon record holder Paul Tergat and his training partner Joshua Chelanga, who won the Rotterdam marathon in April.

Instead, Japan-based runner Daniel Njenga wins his first selection to compete for Kenya, after being selected and dropped from the squad for the 2005 world championships in Helsinki.

The 30-year-old Njenga, a two-time winner of the Tokyo marathon, is the top ranked runner in the squad that also includes Luke Kibet who won the Vienna marathon in April.

Former world champion Catherine Ndereba leads the women's team alongside the 2006 Boston marathon winner Rita Jeptoo and a former three-time world cross country short course champion Edith Masai.

Okeyo said the final team of 10 athletes will be picked before they travel to Osaka in August.

Athletics Kenya was forced to cancel a proposed meeting last Sunday where the issue of the selection was to be discussed because the top athletes declined to take part.

Provisional squad:

Men’s: Daniel Njenga, Benjamin Maiyo, Laban Kipkemboi, Laban Kagika, Wilson Onsare, Salim Kipsang, James Kariuki, William Kiplagat, Wilfred Kigen, Luke Kibet, Laban Kipkemboi.

Women’s: Catherine Ndereba, Helen Kimutai, Edith Masai, Rita Jeptoo, Beatrice Omwanza, Irene Jerotich, Julia Mombi, Rose Nyangacha, Rose Cheruiyot, Helen Cherono.—AFP