The Uhuru gardens in Nairobi will this weekend play host to the national athletics cross country championships on 18th February. Over 300 local athletes have confirmed taking part in the competitive championship that will also feature double world champion Vivian Cheruiyot and Boston/New York marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai.
According to Athletics Kenya, the championships will also act as trials where a team to represent the country in the upcoming 2012 Africa Cross country championships that will take place on March 18 in Cape Town, South Africa.
In the women’s category, Cheruiyot, who was recently named the Laureus sportswoman of the year will face competition from fellow teammates, Linet Masai the silver medalist in Punta Umbria’s 2011cross country, Sylvia Kibet, the reigning 5000m world silver medalist and Mercy Cherono, the 2010 World Cross junior champion. Priscah Jepleting who finished 4th in the Daegu marathon will also feature in the big race.
In the men’s category, Geoffery Mutai the current Boston and New York champion will spearhead the team that will include John Mwangangi the 2011 African cross country champion, Mathew Kisorio who was also included in the Olympics provisional team, Mark Kiptoo and Isaiah Kiplagat, the world junior champion among others.
AK’s chairman Isaiah Kiplagat revealed that the top 6 finishers in each category will be shortlisted for the South Africa team.
Several foreign runners across have also registered for the annual event.These include Mali’s Mike Tebulo, Master Chauncy from Malawi, Christophe Chayriguet of Germany and Mamadou Barry of Guinea have already forwarded their names to Athletics Kenya.
At the same time, National Bank the associations main Sponsor has announced they will sponors this year’s edition with KSH 5.24 million shillings. The bank has extended its partnership with AK for the next 3yrs.
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