Mt Elgon it is as Poland ticket battle intensifies

The battle for the Sh1 million Athletics Kenya jackpot will help raise the tempo as athletes descend on Kapsokwony High School on Saturday for the sixth of the seven-leg KCB cross country weekend circuit meetings.

Over 500 athletes are expected as AK makes its first stop in Mt Elgon to honour the area for its contribution in track and field. Three athletes – 1972 Munich Olympics 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Ben Jipcho, Linet Masai and Edith Masai – will stand out tall.

“It is the first time we are going to Mt Elgon. It is a new experience to us officials and athletes but it helps in our effort to tap new talent. This area has had its children represent Kenya in international competitions,” said Peter Angwenyi, the AK public relations officer.

Alice Aprot, the surprise winner in Kisii in December, will step up her contest in the junior women’s 6km. She will be seeking to close in on jackpot favourite and world cross country silver medallist Mercy Cherono, who ruled the roost in the race after winning in Nairobi and Kericho but finished sixth in Kisii.

Recovered from injury

Aprot and Cherono will have World Junior 6km cross country bronze medallist Jackline Chepng’eno as their main rival. The Machakos winner, forced into third place in Kericho and seventh in Nairobi, has recovered from an ankle injury. Also expected is Jackline Chebii.

Nairobi winner Shadrack Koskei, a veteran road race runner and member of the Armed Forces, stands out as the dark horse in the 12km senior men’s race.

“I will be running in Kapsokuony. We have been training in Iten and I believe we will be entering a crucial stage in the cross country circuit,” he said.

Koskei, one of the consistent runners in the circuit, last competed in cross country two years ago but he said he is focusing on the ticket to Bydgoszcz, Poland, for the global championship in March.

He is expected to drag along his runners-up in Nairobi, Richard Kiprono, as well as Abraham Cherono and Evans Kiprotich.

Missed the earlier races

“Some have missed the earlier races in Machakos, Embu, Kisii and Kericho and Kapsokwony provides the best facility and course for them to start off their campaign. However, the strong field of elite runners likely to grace the event will be a test enough to every runner,” said Angwenyi, who is also the chairman of AK Nyanza South branch.

He confirmed that institutions such as Armed Forces, Kenya Police and Kenya Prisons are expected to send in their runners in what is expected to be their second assignment of the season. Mfae Club of Nyahururu, Siwowet Club, Nyamira and Transmara athletes will also participate.

There will be only one round left in the seven-leg circuit, in Eldoret on January 16 at Kambi Moto Farm.