By JOSEPH NGURE
Athletics coaches are happy with the way athletes are preparing for the London Olympics.
Led by national head coach Julius Kirwa, the tacticians commended elite runners who are competing in local track meetings organised by Athletics Kenya and sponsored by National Bank of Kenya.
âWe have seen the sprinters turn up in great numbers in Bondo, Thika, Nakuru and Kitale. This is a good sign for the Olympics preparations,â said Kirwa from Athletics Kenya 5,000 and 10,000m training camp in Eldoret.
He also commended middle distance runners for also giving good account of themselves in the build up series.
âWe saw Lucy Kabuu, Isaac Korir, Caroline Nyakawa and Purity Cherotich in Thika. Viola Kibiwott, Daniel Salel and Millicent Ndolo and others used Nakuru in gauging themselves. This is commendable,â said the head coach.
During Easter, the fourth weekend competitions in Kitale was a full house as majority of those training in the North Rift were present, raising the profile of championship.
Olympics champion Asbel Kiprop, Silver medallist Janeth Jepkosgei, World champion Ezekiel Kemboi and former Africa 1,500m champion Aaron Keitany were among those who ran in Kitale on Friday and Saturday.
âWe are encouraging other athletes to use the remaining three competitions as part of their preparations. Coaches also want to see the runners so that they can advise them after seeing them compete,â added the official who was accompanied by six other national coaches.
Senior athletes
Other senior athletes who ran in Kitale over Easter included steeplechaser Lydia Rotich who won the 5,000m, Daegu finalist Eunice Sum, former World junior 800m champion Lydia Wafula and 5,000m new sensation Duncan Kipchirchir among others.
The seven-leg series started in Bondo on March 9 and 10 with the Nyanza North region hosting sprints, field events and medley relays up to 800m.
