Hunt is on for KCB jackpot cross country meet

By Joseph Ngure

Over 600 athletes will tomorrow seek to rekindle their quest for Sh1.2 million jackpot during the third KCB national cross country weekend meeting at the Kisii Golf Club.

World Cross Country 6km champion Faith Chepng’etich, Mercy Cherono, Emily Chebet and Peter Mateelong are some of the elite athletes expected to compete.

Reputed as one of the country’s toughest course, because of successive ascends and climate, the weekend challenge has lured runners from South and Central Rift.  The seven-leg series, that begun in Nyahururu a fortnight ago, will also be attended by top class athletes from North Rift and Nairobi.

 Peter Angwenyi, the Nyanza South Athletics Kenya Chairman, confirmed participation of elite athletes who are keen on securing tickets to next year’s World Cross-country championship.

“In the past, many cross-country runners have been using the Kisii race for the main championships. This year will not be different. I have talked to many and they will be in Kisii,” said Angwenyi.

With five of the seven series remaining, the fight for the jackpot will intensify in Kisii where new entrants are expected to join the chase that will see winners take home Sh200,000 in each category.

So far, 41 are in contention for the jackpot after finishing in top seven positions in Nyahururu and Machakos.

Peter Metelong, Hosea Macharinyang, Geofrey Kirui, Silas Kimutai and Caleb Mwangangi top the list of the contestants in the senior men’s while the senior women has 2010 World cross-country champion Emily Chebet holds a slim lead of two points. Others in the 8km senior women are Jemimah Chelagat, Joyline Chelagat, Janet Kisa and Gladys Chemweno. Junior men has ten competitors.