Kamworor eyes sixth Police Cross Country title
Athletics
By
Dennis Okeyo
| Jan 23, 2019
Ndiwa to defend her title against a stellar line-up
Bett, Manangoi and Choge set to clash at Ngong Race Course on Saturday.
National Police Service will stage their cross country championships at Ngong Race Course on Saturday.
Three-time World Cross Country Champion Geoffrey Kamworor, who is well known as an athlete of all surfaces, will start off his season at the meet.
Kamworor, 26, targets his sixth title at the police cross country championships as lays ground for the fourth title at the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, on March 30.
“I’ am excited to battle for my sixth police cross country on Saturday. I have prepared well and ready for the challenge. Definitely, I will be going for top finish in Aarhus if I make the national team. I know I’m capable of winning a fourth title,” said Kamworor, who trains under Patrick Sang at Global Sports Communication camp in Kaptagat.
The men’s race features former Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Augustin Choge, Emmanuel Bett, world 1500m champion Elijah Manangoi among others.
“I will be representing Presidential Escort unit in relays race as part of my preparation for indoors races. I’m sure the level of competition on Saturday will be tough. So it’s a good ground to build on my preparations for the season,” said Manangoi.
A strong team is expected in women’s race with defending champion Stacy Ndiwa back for another shot at her title. She will take on world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, 2015 All African Games 5000m Margaret Chelimo, Ruth Chepngetich and Janet Kisa, who is making her comeback from maternity.
The police championships will be Chepkoech’s second race this year after producing a commanding victory at the Internacional de Italica in Spain two weeks ago.
National Police Service head coach Isaac Kirwa said he expects huge turn out athletes seek tickets to the national trials to be held in Eldoret next month.
“Everything is in place. We are just waiting for the event and, as usual, we expect huge number of participants. All the top athletes will compete and we expect stiff competition,” said Kirwa.
He added: “Athletes such as Kamworor who has been a dominant figure in the meetings will be seeking his sixth title, Chepkoech (Beatrice) will be there while Janet Kisa will returning from maternity. I urge Kenyans to come and watch at Ngong Race Course.”
Meanwhile just nine days remain until the deadline to enter the IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque design competition, whose prize is a trip for two to the last weekend of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.
IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque is a location-based recognition which highlights, celebrates historic athletics competitions, careers, performances, cities, venues, landmarks and culture.