Leting’s acid test on road to Poland
Mercy Cherono celebrates after winning the 3,000 metres race at the World Junior Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland in July 2008. She will be part of the team that represents Kenya at the World Cross Country Championship in Poland in March 2010. Photo/FILE
The national cross country team pitches tent in Embu on Friday with the coaches keen on polishing and rectifying the mistakes witnessed during the national trials a week ago.
David Leting will be in the driving seat as he seeks to cement his name among great coaches in Kenya’s athletics folklore.
Leting, who has served as an understudy to Julius Kirwa since 2005, faces an uphill task as he guides the 24-strong team to the March 28 World Cross Country Championship in Bydgozsc, Poland.
“There were some glaring disparities during the national trials,” Leting conceded. Already rocked by an age fixing scam, the team will be under scrutiny by its rivals and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Paul Mutero has since been dropped from the team over cheating, with Clement Lagat, seventh in the championship, taking over his place in the junior men’s 8km team.
As he leads his squad to camp, Leting does not expect any absenteeism, saying: “We expect everyone in camp. I will then assess each athlete’s fitness and see where they need to add or relax. At the moment we are just fine.”
After Florence Kiplagat secured the gold in the senior women’s 8km race, focus turns to the senior men’s 12km where no Kenyan has succeeded since Paul Tergat in 1999.
“Our athletes are capable of doing it. But they fail in the last 500m. It is here that we need to look into and then guide them through the steps,” said Tergat after the team selection at Uhuru Gardens.
Leting is however optimistic Kenya’s stature in the competition, in which it has reigned supreme for over 26 years, will be retained.
Kenya team to Bydgozsc
12km men: Paul Tanui, Lucas Rotich, Joseph Ebuya, Hosea Macharinyang, Leonard Komon, Richard Mateelong, Mathew Kisorio;
8km women: Linet Masai, Lineth Chepkurui, Margaret Wangare, Emily Muge, Ann Wanjiru, Gladys Chepngeno;
8km men: Charles Chebet, Paul Mutero, Caleb Mwangangi, Japheth Korir, Gideon Kipketer, Isaiah Kiplagat;
6km women: Nelly Chebet, Purity Cherotich, Faith Chepngetich, Mercy Cherono, Alice Aprot, Esther
Coaches: David Leting, John “Warm-up” Mwithiga, Charles Mathu
