Athletics: Stars set for Nairobi cross country meet

A huge field is expected at the Nairobi region Athletics Kenya cross country championships at Posta Grounds on Saturday.

The contest will be used to pick a team to the IAAF Permit meeting/national cross country trials set for Eldoret Sports Club on February 23.

There five categories on the cards. They include men's 10km and 8km as well as women's 8km and 6km and the mixed relays.

AK will fashion a team to the 43rd  IAAF World Cross Country Championships set for Aarhus, Denmark, on March 30.

World Under-20 1,500m champion George Manangoi is among the junior athletes lined up for 8km  race. Others are Victor Chepkwony, Albert Tonui, Vincent Keter and Geoffrey Manangoi.

Mercy Chepkorir, Ann Naasisho, Sharon Chepkemei, Fancy Chepkorir, Sharon Chepkurui and Diana Chepkorir will line up in junior women's race.

James Rungaru, the 2017 winner, is expected to feature in men’s 10km senior race while Emily Chebet women's senior race victory.

“Nairobi is known to top the trials in junior races every year and the trend is set to continue when we select a team on Saturday. We have quite a number of promising juniors who will compete," said Barnaba Korir, the AK Nairobi region chairman.

Korir added: “I want also to call on athletes to turn up for Nairobi meet. Athletes must note that AK will not allow individual runners to participant at the nationals. The athletes must belong to uniformed forces, regions and universities.”

National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces and Kenya Prisons have staged their contests. Kenya Universities are also expected to select a team on Saturday. [Dennis Okeyo]