Karoki looks to retain cross country crown

What you need to know:

  • Meanwhile, World 5000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono recovered from the previous weekend’s loss at Atapuerca to win the 21st edition of the Cross Internacional de Soria in Spain on Sunday.

National Cross Country champion Bedan Karoki will not only be defending his title on February 14 next year, but also gunning for a place in Kenya team for the World Cross Country Championships.

Karoki who is based in Japan, is yet to represent the country in cross country events despite winning in 2012 and 2014 where teams were selected for the Africa Cross.

“You remember I only won in the years when the Worlds were not taking place but this time round I want to make the team for China, God willing,” said Karoki.

The elite athlete is also aiming to go back to track with the intention of making the 10,000m team for the World Championships that will also take place in China.

Karoki represented Kenya in 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympic Games and 2013 World Championships in Moscow where he finished fifth (27:32.94) and sixth (27:27.17) respectively.

BEST PLACED KENYAN

He was the best placed Kenyan at the Olympics while Paul Tanui settled for bronze in Moscow as Mo Farah from Britain won on both occasions.
The World Cross will be held March 28 in Guiyang before the World Championships on August 22 to 30 in Beijing.

“Tactics have been our main undoing on track but I hope we will put our act together this time. Farah will be beatable if he makes it to China,” Karoki said.

Meanwhile, World 5000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono recovered from the previous weekend’s loss at Atapuerca to win the 21st edition of the Cross Internacional de Soria in Spain on Sunday.

Cherono moved away from a predominantly continental field on the third of the 2km loops with her compatriot Doris Changeywo to win in 27:35.

Changeywo came in 10 seconds later. Early leader Catarina Ribeiro from Portugal placed a distant third in 28:10.