Athletics Kenya (AK) Nairobi branch exuding confidence

By ERICK OCHIENG'

 Pauline Muchiri

Athletics Kenya (AK) Nairobi region is confident of winning the junior men’s titles  at the KCB/AK National Cross-Country Championships on  Saturday.

The capital city will line up their top cream that includes continental junior 5000m champion and national jackpot winner Moses Mukono.

“I am glad that I am free from injuries, I’m focused and victory is what I am preparing for now," said Mukono, who represented Kenya at the World Cross-Country Championships in Poland last year, at his training base in Nairobi yesterday.

Also in the battle for prized  tickets to Africa cross-country championships are Discovery Kenya cross-country winner  Emmanuel Bett and Vedic Kipkoech, the Kericho cross country winner.  Others are Elvis Cheboi, Andrew Loret and Edwin Kibet.

Nairobi AK region boss Barnaba Korir said they have higher  chances of winning the men’s 12km race and finishing  in top three in the senior women’s category.

“We hope for a podium sweep in the men’s junior category even though the competition looks stiff. Our greatest competitors are the Police and Prisons but we are working on a formula to beat them,” Korir said.

In the 12km senior men’s race, Nairobi has entered new kid on the block Silas Kimutai who trains under coach Isaac Macharia in Ngong Township. Others are Discovery Race winner Amos Mitei, James Maina, Elphas Lang’at, Geoffrey Korir and Bernard Kimani Kitavi.

Senior women’s (8km) squad has reigning Virginia Half Marathon champion Pauline Wanjiru Muchiri (pictured), who is also the Boston and Heartfold Half Marathon silver medalist.

Muchiri dislodged veteran and former world beater Sally Barsosio at the regional championships held at Posta grounds along Nairobi’s  Ngong Road. Others are Joyce Chemutai, Jane Muragu, Jane Wanja, Dorcas Obare and Virginia Nyambura.

The 6km junior women’s squad has Elizabeth Maitya, Rosemary Mumo, Mercy Chesang, Linna Cherono, Loyce Chemung and Dorcas Longiro.