World Cross Country mixed relay champion Reynold Cheruiyot, African Championships 800m silver medalist Lilian Odira and 2015 World Youth Championships silver medalist Sandrafelis Chebet are among seasoned runners set to participate Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series opener at the Machakos Teachers’ Training College this weekend.
The trio will be among hundreds battling for top honours across seven categories of competition including Machakos Teachers College Fun Run (Men and Women), Under-20 (Men 8km and Women 6km), 10km Senior (Men and Women) and Mixed Relays.
AK’s director of competition Paul Mutwii called on more athletes to continue registering, noting the importance of the event in preparations for next year’s Africa Cross Country Championships as well as the World Championships in Tokyo.
Preparations at Machakos Teachers College.
“It is important that athletes compete in this event if at all they want to have a strong season. We have also introduced some changes like a collection of bib numbers that must be collected in-person at Machakos Teachers College on Friday. All athletes must register via a link provided by the AK,” Mutwii said.
Others expected to line up at the event include the 2022 World Indoor 1500m bronze medalist Abel Kipsang, Winfred Mbithe, the 2021 World Relays silver medalist Naomi Korir, South Rift’s Bethwell Kibiwot, Machakos-based Athanas Kioko and Kenya Prisons’ Kipngetich Ng’eno.
Paul Mutwii.
With the prize money increased hundredfold from Sh5000 to Sh50,000, Mutwii’s clarion call is bound to attract an avalanche of response from athletes around the country.
