By Mutwiri Mutuota

Ann Wanjiru sat far from proceedings as Athletics Kenya (AK) Secretary General, David Okeyo read out the national team for the March 28 Bydgoszcz World Cross.

Despite having just posted her best ever performance at a national event, clocking 27:14.4 for sixth in the women’s 8km senior race during the Trials for Poland, the Nyahururu-based runner was not expecting to be a favourite for wildcard selection.

However, Okeyo’s booming voice called her name not once, not twice, but three times for good measure.

Mary Wanjiru (right) and a teammate train at Kigari Teachers College last week. [PHOTOS: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

"I could not believe it. I waited for him to call me three times so that I could go forward. I have never been so happy in my life," she recalls that moment when she had to literally sprint to the podium to take up her place in the women’s 8km squad, a beneficiary of the wildcard lottery.

Believed later

"My father could not believe it either when I called him with the news. He only believed later when he heard my name on news through the radio and when he read it in the papers the following morning," Wanjiru said.

"What makes me excited the most is the fact that I will travel outside the country for the very first time in my life! I cannot wait since it has been my dream and why I took up the sport. Making this team has given me morale in training and experienced runners in the team have been assisting me.

"My aim in Poland is to compete well, with courage and without any fear. I plan to give my level best to make my first outing a memorable experience. I’m not intending to make the numbers, we are going there to defend individual and team titles in senior women. I will give all to ensure we succeed."

Finished fifth

She finished fifth (Kericho/15 November), seventh (Meru/29 November) and sixth (Kisii/December13) at the second, third and fourth meets before crashing to a 61st finish at the Amman selection event cum IAAF Permit Kenya National Cross Country Championships on February 21.

Last year, she finished in 61st at the selection event for Amman World Cross. Undeterred by the failure to make the national team she dusted herself for the track series, competing over 5,000m and 10,000m. She returned second (Nyeri/5000m) and registered her personal best over 10,000m (33:02.0/4 April) in Nakuru for second.

Her season highlight was winning bronze (34:54.4/June 6) at the National Championships although an ankle injury sustained at the event ruled her out of the 4-5 July Berlin World Championships Trials.

A fourth place finish at the Nyeri Half Marathon (1:13:06/November 29) where she took home Sh30,000 ($395) for her efforts marked her return to competition.