Big names parade for Cross Country race

A battle of the titans is on the cards at the 28th edition of the Discovery Cross Country race set for Sunday at the Eldoret Sports Club, as upcoming and elite athletes warm to the national cross country championship trials later next month.

Defending champion Josphat Kipchirchir, will come up against upcoming sensation, World Under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto, fresh from winning the 14^th edition of the Tuskys Wareng Cross Country two months ago and the recently awarded upcoming athlete of the year Edward Zakayo who’s also the 5,000m World under 20 champion.

Others in the senior men category are Emmanuel Bor, Mathew Kimeli and Gilbert Kimunyan among others.

Stiff competition is also expected in the women’s category which has attracted World Under-20 5,000m champion Beatrice Chebet, World Under-18 800m silver medallist Lydia Jeruto, Sandrafelis Chebet, Sheila Chelangat, Edna Jebitok, among others.

“Over 3000 athletes attended last year’s event, and this year we are expecting even more. This is the biggest and oldest cross country event in the county and this being a World Cross Country Championship year we are prepared for even more,” Athletics coach David Letting, who is one of the organizers, told Citizen Digital.

He went on: “Two-time World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor is among those we are expecting, these are the people who benefited big from this event, others will be using the race to feel the ground as part of their preparations for the national trials which will also be held here,” he said in reference to the Eldoret Sports Club grounds that will host the weekend event.

Nine different categories will be competed for in the one day event, including 500m boys and girls under 7 years, 1km boys and girls and many others.

There will also be competition in the 6km junior women, 8km senior women, 8km junior Men and 10km senior men.

“The main aim of this event is to nurture talent, Eliud Kipchoge, Vivian Cheruiyot, Peris Jepchirchir, Geoffrey kamworor, Priscah Jeptoo and Alice Timbilil all begun running here and they will be attending as role models to inspire more,”noted Letting.