OFF TO CHINA: World cross squad breathes fire as they jet out

Agnes Jebet and Bedan Karoki during training session at Kigari Teachers Collage, Embu County on March 18, 2015 ahead of team's departure for World Cross Country Championship in Guiyang, China. PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

The national team leaves tonight for the 41st IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China, on Saturday.

The 24-member squad, which has been in residential training camp at St Mark's Teachers Training College in Kigari, Embu, flies out 7:35pm aboard Ethiopian Airlines.

Athletics Kenya and sponsors Kenya Commercial Bank hosted a send-off dinner for the team last night at Red Court Hotel (Boma).

World half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, the team captain who was upbeat the Kenyan charges will stage a good show in Guiyang said: "This is a good team. They are co-operative and we shared many ideas while in camp."

"We are focused on retaining the senior men's individual and team titles as well as reclaiming the junior men team title we lost in Poland. Our women are equally good and I have no doubt that they can retain all the titles," said Kamworor.

Kamworor, who won the 2011 world junior cross country title, went on: "I groomed Rodgers (Chumo) from scratch and I am happy he made the team. It's for this reason that I acted in the movie 'Unknown athlete' just to show upcoming athletes all is possible notwithstanding a person's humble background."

Kamworor, who has tried the 21km record three times, said he will then prepare for the world championships 10,000m race.

Irene Chebet Cheptai, the 2008 World Cross Country junior silver medalist, is out to make amends after finishing 10th at the 2013 World Cross Country championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

"We have had good training although it was hard making the team. We have a strong squad and I want to finish in top six and perhaps help the Kenyan team bag the overall title. Three of us Emily Chebet, Janeth Kisa and me have experience in World Cross Country," said Cheptai.

They will be joined by World Junior Cross Country silver medallist Agnes Tirop, 2011 African junior 1500m bronze medallist Stacy Ndiwa and Margaret Kipkemboi.

Kisa, the Commonwealth 5000m and African cross-country silver medallist, said she will give the competition her all.

"I will give it my best despite the high pressure. I want it to set the stage for me in the world championships (in Beijing, China)," said Kisa.

Margaret Jelimo, who finished eighth in 8km in the national trials but handed a lifeline in team, longs for a good show. Jelimo, who comes from Kabiyet in Nandi County and trains under Rosa and Associati stable, said she was keen to perform well in her maiden appearance in national team.

"I have not competed outside the country and hope that I will do well. We will compete as a team," said Jelimo.

Coach David Letting said the team is good as it comprises up-and-coming and experienced athletes in cross country running.