Battle royale expected at Ol Kalau Cross Country

Reynold Cheruiyot when he won the 2km loop at the Athletics Kenya Cross Country in Bomet. [Courtesy]

Over 600 athletes are expected at the fifth Betika-Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country meeting set for Saturday in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County.

The build-up meetings started in Machakos County in October, before heading to Kapsokwony in Mount Elgon with Iten hosting the third meet while Bomet hosted the fourth leg two weeks ago which saw Daniel Ebenyo and Viola Chepngeno emerging victorious.

With the prize money increased from Sh5000 to Sh50,000, AK Central Region and national treasurer David Miano said the exciting prize money has continued attract an avalanche of response from athletes around the country as witnessed at the previous editions.

"We want to make the local calendar lucrative, and that's why we have increased the weekend series prize money and the response has been massive, the trend is seT continue at Arboretum in Ol Kalau on Saturday. Athletes are encouraged to take advantage of the series as part of their preparation towards the 2025 Tokyo World Championships," said Miano.

The meeting will entail all the five categories; 10km senior men and women, 8km junior men, 6km junior women and the newly introduced 2km loop.

"Arrangements for the fourth AK cross country 2024/25 calendar series at Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County are now in place, AK central region, AK Nyandarua and the County Government of Nyandarua have now completed the preparation.

"The course will be among the toughest routes and has been finalised and it will be great for athletes to challenge their endurance. Athletes are encouraged to register via a link and the bib number collection will be held on Friday. No bib will be collected on the day of the event," Miano said.

Some of the world reknown athletes such as John Ngugi, Catherine Ndereba, Stanley Waithaka, Bedan Karoki, Julius Kariuki and the late Samuel Wanjiru are of the top runners from Nyandarua County who put Kenya on the global map.

Kisii County will host the sixth leg on January 4 at Cardinal Otunga Boys High School.