AFP - London marathon champions Emmanuel Mutai and Mary Keitany and world record holder Patrick Makau head a 12-member provisional Kenyan team named on Tuesday for this summer's London Olympics.

Others include the 2011 Boston and New York winner Geofrey Mutai and the reigning men's and women's world champions, Abel Kirui and Edna Kiplagat.

Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said chosing the team out of the 150 men and 50 women who have attained the Olympic marathon mark was not easy, but the six men and six women were selected based on their rankings, consistency and world championship status.

"Picking the team has been a tedious and taxing exercise because it is not always the best who win the races," said Kiplagat. "We have always taken people whom we thought were the best but have not won the races."

"The London Olympics is the target for the whole world. But for Kenya it will be very important. We did well in Beijing and Daegu and many will be asking if we will also do well in London," he added.

The final team to the July 27 to August 12 games will be whittled down to only three athletes per category on April 30.

The Kenya Olympic marathon provisional team:

Men

Patrick Makau, Geofrey Mutai, Abel Kirui), Wilson Kipsang, Moses Mosop, Emmanuel Mutai

Women

Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat, Sharon Jerop, Prisca Jeptoo, Lydia Cheromei.