Battle for Team Kenya slots is on at Uhuru Gardens

Africa Cross Country champion James Rung’aru from Central has thrown down the gauntlet to his opponents ahead of Lotto/Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

Japan-based Rung’aru is not only chasing eying a maiden victory at the championships but is also eyeing place in Team Kenya that should enable him defend his title at Africa Cross Country Championships on March 17 in Chlef, Algeria.

Last year, Rung’aru finished 12th to miss out on the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala. In 2016, a sixth place finish at the National Cross Country Championships earned him a place in Team Kenya for Africa Cross Country Championships in Yaoundé.

It’s Rung’aru who saved Kenya the blushes, flooring Uganda’s Philip Kipyeko to take gold in Yaoundé.

“I will be more than happy to win at home before defending my Africa title. One feels complete winning at home first before seeking to conquer the world,” said Rung’aru, who will lead his Central team against a star-studded field from 17 other regions. Rung’aru’s team has Daniel Wanjiru, who will be using the race to refine his speed ahead of his London Marathon title defence on April 22 in Britain.

Even though defending champion Leonard Barsoton will be missing in action, Rung’aru and company still have a battle at hand against World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor.

Kamworor finished second last year behind Barsoton but went on to successfully defend his World Cross Country title in Uganda. Also in the mix is the 2013 World Cross Country champion Japheth Korir (South Rift). “I am ready for the battle and it will feel good to seal a hat trick at the nationals,” said Kamworor, who won in 2014 and 2016.

Interestingly, Richard Kimunyan (Central Rift), who won men’s Under-20 8km race at the Nationals last year, will be eying a great entry to senior ranks with a good show. The youngster won bronze at the World Cross Country in Kampala.

Senior men’s race will also feature Africa 10,000m silver medallist Wilfred Kimitei (Prisons) and Africa 5,000m bronze medallist Mangata Ndiwa (Prisons).

Kenya Defence Forces champion Hellen Obiri and Alice Aprot, the Kenya Prisons champion, go head to head in the women’s battle. Obiri, the World 5,000m silver medallist, makes her maiden appearance at the National Cross Country Championships, while Aprot, the Africa champion, is targeting to reclaim the title she lost last year to Irene Cheptai.

Others to watch out for are World Cross Country Under-20 bronze medallist Cellphine Chespol (Prisons), who hopes to graduate to senior ranks in style, the 2016 Paris Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho(Prisons) and Stacy Ndiwa (Police).

Africa Cross County women’s Under-20 champion Miriam Cherop will take on World Under-18 2,000m steeplechase champion Caren Chebet, World Under-18 800m bronze medallist Lydia Jeruto, World Under-18 1,500m bronze medallist Ednah Jebitok in women’s Under-20 6km race.

World Under-18 2,000m steeplechase gold medallist Leonard Bett, World Under-18 3,000m silver medallist Edward Zakayo and the 2015 World Under-18 3,000m bronze medallist Wesley Ledama will face off in men’s Under-20 8km battle.