Kenyan athletes under pressure to win in Poland

By Mutwiri Mutuota

Pressure is now on Paul Tanui, Linet Masai, Charles Kibet and Nelly Chebet to translate their domestic dominance in cross-country on the world stage on March 28 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

On Saturday, the quartet sparkled in winning the men senior 12km, women senior 8km, men junior 8km and women junior 6km races at the 16th IAAF Permit cum KCB/AK National Cross Country Championships to front the queues in the rush for World Cross honours.

Watching Tanui disengage from the field of an event described as the toughest cross-country race on Earth with two-laps to go, many would have prophesied the 20 year-old had just offered himself as a sacrificial lamb.

However, such was the thrust in his engine that the gap kept on increasing and a field featuring Olympics, world and area distance champions had no choice but to raise the white flag.

Tanui’s 30-second victory over another unrated runner, Lucas Rotich (35:12.5 against 35:42.7) was an awesome performance.

"I had not trained for long, my aim was just to be in the team. I believe that we can bring the individual title back home this year. We are capable of doing that," Tanui expressed when reminded it’s been 11 years since another Paul— Tergat, won the coup de grace of cross-country running.

Sharing name

"I hope that sharing a name with such a great athlete will inspire me to be at my best in Poland. Having competed in Amman last year (fourth, junior 8km), I know what is needed and we have to work as a team."

Despite losing a shoe, Masai crushed the women’s 8km in absence of last year’s winner and World Cross titleholder, Florence Kiplagat and world 5,000m gold medallist Vivian Cheruiyot who topped her at Kenya Police championships.

"I was not comfortable on one shoe but my plan to break away from four kilometres worked. I intend to keep my focus so that I can win the gold medal this year," the world 10,000m champion said.

Having been denied the top medal by Kiplagat at the final climb in Amman, Masai, who is also aware of a renewed Ethiopian onslaught in Bydgoszcz stated, "This time, I will look at where my opponents are if I decide to break for it."

Kibet is still stung by finishing 13th at last year’s World Cross and his path to erasing that began with a commanding victory in the junior men’s race.

"The Amman course was very tough and to improve this year, I decided to train on hilly terrain and it worked today. Even if I’m not the one who wins the gold medal in Poland, I will be ready to do everything for our team," Kibet, said.

Chebet, the World Junior 1,500m emerged from the shadows of her fellow World Junior 3,000m gold medallist, Mercy Cherono to lead the line to Poland.

"With training and belief, I can win the gold medal in Poland but it will not be easy," the Nairobi’s Riruta Satellite student said.