Athletics: Mountain running trials set for April 28

From left: Mountain runner Robert Panin Surum, Mountain running world champion Lucy wambui and Stephen Ndege pose for a picture at Run Together Athletics Camp in Kiambogo, Mt. Longonot, Naivasha on Nov 16. 2016. AK President Jackson Tuwehas launched the Mountain running in Kenya at Run. [photo:Dennis Okeyo, Standard]

Athletics Kenya (AK) has set April 28 as the day for the mountain running trials at the slopes of Mount Longonot, in Naivasha.

The inaugural event, which continues to draw interests from athletes, will see Kenya pick a team to the World Mountain Championships in Andorra in September.

Some of the stars who will grace the event include reigning World Mountain running champion Lucy Wambui, Robert Panin Surum and Stephen Ndege.

Last December, AK President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei established the event in the country and appointed former AK public relations officer Peter Angwenyi as the programme’s coordinator.

Angwenyi will be assisted by mountain running expert Thomas Krejci, an Austrian, who has previously organised several events through his Run2gether running agency.

“We decided to establish mountain running championships in Kenya because our athletes have been running in this event for quite a while now, but we have not been supporting them a lot,” said Tuwei while launching the programme last year.

“That’s why we are making it official and will include it in the AK calendar of events. Kenya is known for its prowess in athletics, therefore, I’m sure our athletes will do well in this event too.”

Athletics Kenya acting-Chief Executive Officer Susan Kamau directed AK South Rift chairman, John Wachira to work closely with Krejci and Angwenyi to ensure the event is successful. 

[Dennis Okeyo]