After missing out on a spot in Team Kenya for the Paris Olympics, Daniel Simiu has redirected his focus to Sunday's Boston 10K Road Race.
Ebenyo missed out on a slot in the 10,000m team after finishing eighth in 27:24.33 during the trials held at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
The top three spots, the automatic Olympic tickets, went to Daniel Mateiko (26:50.81), Nicholas Kipkorir (26:50.94) and Bernard Kibet (26:51.09).
Despite the setback, Ebenyo brings an impressive resume to Boston. He boasts titles from the 2022 Valencia 10K Road Race, where he clocked 26:58, and the Berlin Half Marathon, finishing in 59:30.
The 28-year-old is a 10,000m silver medallist from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he clocked 27:11.26 behind Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo (27:09.19).
His trophy cabinet also consists of the Delhi Half Marathon title where he cruised to victory in 59:27.
Ebenyo, also a world silver medallist in the 10,000m, will have to fend off last edition's bronze medallist Alex Masai and Prague Half Marathon champion Sabastian Sawe.
Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay won the race in 27:49, followed by Edwin Kurgat (28:01) and Masai (28:09).
Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri clinched the women's crown in 31:21, followed by Stacy Ndiwa (31:25) and Sheila Chepkirui (31:27).
Bravin Kiptoo, Benard Ngeno, Wesley Kiptoo and Peter Mwaniki round off the elite Kenyan lineup in the men's field.
They will face rivalry from Eritrea’s Yamane Haileselassie and Ethiopia’s Melknat Wudu, an African bronze medallist in the 5,000m.
The home team is led by 2017 New York Half Marathon bronze medallist Teshone Mekonen.
The women’s elite field was dealt a major blow after Boston Marathon silver medallist Sharon Lokedi and bronze medallist Edna Kiplagat withdrew. The organisers did not reveal why.
Ndiwa leads the Kenyan women's elites alongside Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medallist, Irene Cheptai, and Mercy Chelangat.
The challengers include the world U20 cross country champion Senayet Getachew and Bosena Mulatie of Ethiopia.
2022 Chicago Marathon silver medallist Emilly Sisson and 2016 New York Marathon bronze medallist Molly Hudle will be eyeing top spot for the hosts.
