Loaded lineups: KCB gives Sh12m for cross-country meet to be graced by foreigners

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Linus Chumba finishes second in the 12km men’s race at the Armed Forces Cross-country championship at Moi Air  Base, Nairobi, last January. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/

A foreign legion will lend colour to the Kenya Commercial Bank/Athletics Kenya national cross-country championships at Uhuru Gardens on Saturday.

The contest, which is also an IAAF Permit Meeting, has attracted athletes from Bahrain, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa and Eritrea, and meets the IAAF rule that at least five countries and athletes must be within position 30 in the world to compete in the meet.

Ethiopia boasts a strong field of experienced athletes led by Tadelech Bekele Alemu, who posted a brilliant 1:08.38 at the Valencia half marathon last year, and Gemechu Edeo Kelu, who boasts a 1:07.07 mark she attained at the Santa Pola half marathon in Spain last year.

Eritrea’s duo of Nguse Amlesom and Letekidan Gegreamlak will be up against Bahrain’s Belal Mansoor, formerly Kenya’s John Yego, and Hasan Mahboob Ali (Silas Kirui).

Yesterday, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) launched a Sh12m sponsorship in what would see Athletics Kenya (AK) award athletes who have won the jackpot series at the national championships.

A leading role

“Over the six years that we have partnered with AK, the bank has played a leading role in the development of talent.

“This success signifies these championships are a gem that should be guarded with utmost care to ensure this model benefits future generations,” said KCB Marketing Director Angela Mwirigi.

AK Vice President in charge of Logistics and Youth Development, Jackson Tuwei,  said they hoped some foreigners training in Iten would join the national championships.

“Britain’s Mo Farah is here and so is Paula Radcliffe. We welcome them to participate in the national trials,” said Tuwei.

On the local front, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will be out to reclaim their top spot. Leonard Olitiptip will lead KDF’s quest to prove that they are no push-overs and reaffirm the KDF maxim, ‘soldiers never say die.’

Linus Chumba, who switched from British manager Ricky Simms to a US-based Kenyan, will join forces with his former training mates of Kaptagat Kimutai, world cross-country bronze medallist Vincent Chepkok, John Chepkwony and former world cross-country champ Ebuya.

But newcomers Kiprono Menjo, Wilson Too, Peter Mateelong and Reuben Limaa are itching for prized tickets to the third Africa cross-country championships in Kampala, on March 16.

World Indoor champion Hellen Obiri will lead Rotterdam Marathon winner Jemimah Chelagat, Sela Jepleting and Perin Nenkampi in the women’s KDF team.

World 10,000m silver medallist Gladys Cherono, former Boston Marathon winner Sharon Cherop, world cross-country runner Linet Chepkurui, veteran Sally Barsosio and Igness Chenonge are other soldiers to watch.  –– [email protected]