Rudisha, Kiprop to grace AK’s first weekend meeting in Nakuru

World 800m champion David Rudisha and Olympics 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop will be the star attraction in Nakuru on Friday when the Athletics Kenya (AK) weekend meeting season begins at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST).

Rudisha, who will be making a return to competitive athletics after along absence through injury, will race in his 800m speciality while Kiprop is expected to compete in the 1500m race.

Local track and field competitors will be using the two-day event to stay in shape ahead of the national trials for the inaugural World Relays set for Bahamas in May, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in August (Scotland) and the Africa Senior Championships set for Morocco in September.

ALL SET FOR RACE

RVIST principal, Eddy Koimet, said preparations for the meet are in top gear and all officials who will officiate have been briefed on their roles.

“It’s all system go here. We hope to host a successful meet as top athletes in track and field events converge on Nakuru today,” said Koimet.

AK South Rift Valley chairman John Wachira and the branch’s publicity officer Jepta Rono confirmed that elite athletes Kiprop and Rudisha have confirmed their participation.

“The World 800m record holder (David) Rudisha is among the top athletes who we  is expect in Nakuru tomorrow (today). He has indicated he will launch his season’s campaign in Nakuru,” said Rono.

Rudisha has been out of the track due to a nagging injury and has now fully recovered  and is ready to kickstart his season.

Also expected in Nakuru are a host of other runners mainly in relay races.

“Nakuru has an ideal climate for sprinters as its altitude is neither too high nor too low and therefore we expect a full house,” said Rono.

According to the season’s calendar released by the Athletics Kenya, at least four more weekend meetings will be held in Bondo (March 28-29), Kisii (April 11-12), Mumias (May2-3).

The final meet will be held in Nairobi on May 9 to 10.