JUNIORS READY FOR BATTLE: Athletes sharpen skills ahead of national cross country trials

Sheila Chelangat (left) leads Emily Chebet and Roselinda Jepketer during the IAAF World Championship trials at Nyayo stadium on June 16, 2015. Chebet won the race while Chelagant was second.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Junior athletes are leaving nothing to chance as the day for the national cross-country trials on Saturday nears.

World 2000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chesteek Chespol, 3,000m world silver medalist Sandra Felis Chebet, Emily Chebet and Sheila Chelangat will compete in the 6km women junior race during the IAAF Cross Country Permit on Saturday.

The athletes, who will represent Nairobi Region at the event to be held at the Uhuru Gardens, currently top in the world youth lists.

Chespol, who is a student at Riruta Central Secondary School, easily chocked up victory during the Nairobi cross-country edition, while Sandra and Emily have been impressive in the series, taking first and second positions at the Tuskys Wareng cross-country.

The world youth 2000m steeplechase bronze medalist Sheila Chelangat is considered as one of the dark horses in the event.

Chespol, last year's Athletics Kenya young athlete of the year, said she was ready for the national trials.

“The national championships will be interesting. I have competed against some great opponents in the track and won. I would be delighted to win against them again in the cross-country, which is totally different from the track.”

Everlyn Jepkoech, Betty Chepkemoi and Purity Joy Chepkemoi will lead the Nyanza North team, while Youth Olympic Games 2000m steeplechase silver medalist Winfred Mbithe will line up for the Southern Region alongside Eva Cherono, Jane Mwikali and Catherine Mwanzau.

Mbithe was a member of Team Kenya to Guiyang’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2015, where she finished tenth.

Judy Cherotich, Irene Mwende, Vaati Ndolo and Vivian Cherop will represent universities.

Western Region’s Chebiwot Kemboi, Nancy Chebet, Caroline Kemei and Rael Chebet will also compete for slots to the 4th Africa Cross Country Championships, which will take place on March 12, 2016 in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Some foreign junior athletes, who will be in action on Saturday include Ethiopian’s Birhan Mihretu and Nishmwe Beatha of Rwanda.

Athletics Kenya Nairobi Region chairman Barnaba Korir, who doubles up as AK youth chairman, believes his region will have the final bragging rights, especially in the junior races.

“We will definitely win the junior team. We have the best athletes in this category, which means that the junior team trophy will remain in Nairobi.

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