NAIROBI, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hamburg 10km road race defending champion James Kibet will fight to retain his title against a spirited challenge from his compatriot Emmanuel Kiprono on Sunday in Germany.

Speaking in Nairobi as he left for Germany, the Kenyan said he has remained injury free and done well in training.

"Training has been good and the speed work I have done will help in deciding how fast I may run in Hamburg," Kibet said.

Organizers have also called in Emmanuel Kiprono to compete. Last year Kiprono set a world leading time at the Paderborn Easter Run with a time of 27 minutes and 26 seconds.

"This is important for the endurance and preparation for the marathon season coming. But it is important to do well and seize the opportunity to represent Kenya at the World Championships in Doha in 2019," Kiprono said.

The best German in the field will be Sebastian Hendel.

Kenya's Tabitha Gichia will be the top candidate in the women's field. Gichia, who is planning to run in the Beijing marathon, will be up against Slovakian Olympian Katharina Beresova and Belgium's 10, 000 meter champion Hanne Verbruggen. Over 4,500 participants are expected to compete in the race.