Kenyan stars set to rule global stage
Athletics
By
Jonathan Komen and Dennis Okeyo
| Mar 30, 2019
Two-time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor and world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri will lead Kenyan onslaught at the 43rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, today.
Anxiety is certainly building among the 582 athletes from the 67 countries present in the Danish city as Kenyan charges seek to defend senior men's and women's races and battle to reclaim the under-20 titles they lost at the previous edition in Kampala, Uganda, in 2017.
But the 26-year-old Kamworor has lofty dreams: complete a hat trick of wins and enter into the elite club of world cross country greats that include Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele (six), John Ngugi and Paul Tergat (five) and Portuguese Carlos Lopes (three).
He will also strive to get a share of Sh31 million ($310,000) prize money on offer for winners in senior events.
Despite finishing fifth at the national trials in Eldoret, Kamworor has vowed to prove his mettle. "I am not under pressure at all. I believe in my training and what I have done in my preparations.
"I am focused and determined and the fact that youngsters who graduated to senior ranks are giving great accounts in performance motivates me. That inspires me to perform well," he said.
Kamworor, a police officer, will marshal forces with Amos Kirui, Richard Kimunyan, Rodgers Kwemoi, world u-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruton and Evans Keitany.
The inclusion of Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Paul Tanui will no doubt boost experience in the squad. Emmanuel Bor is on the reserve list.
In all races, teams may enter a maximum of eight athletes but no more than six runners will compete in each race with four to score.
For the last decade, Kenyan senior women team have dominated world cross country championships. In 2017, Kenya produced a remarkable 1,2,3,4,5,6. Kenya has won gold since 2009 and in four of the last editions, Kenya has produced a 1-2 finish.
“I hope to win gold in my first competition at the world cross country. We will compete as a team,” said Obiri.
Obiri, 28, will team up with world 3,000m steeplechase record Beatrice Chepkoech, Beatrice Mutai, Deborah Samum, Eva Cherono and Lilian Kasait, the world cross country bronze medallist. Margaret Jelimo is on the reserve list. There is no prize money for the U-20 races at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.