Nairobi to host first Athletics Kenya cross country meeting

Athletes participate in senior men 12 kilometers race nduring Ndalat Gaa Isaiah Kiplagat memorial 9th edition cross country in Nandi County yesterday. 14.10.2017. PHOTOS BY PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD.

After Ndalat Gaa Cross Country, which acts as curtain raiser for the cross country series, Nairobi is set to host the first Athletics Kenya (AK) National Cross Country Series on Saturday at Posta Grounds, along Ngong Road.

Runners will be lining up for 10km senior men and women and 6km for girls and boys in junior categories. The meeting will also have athletes forming teams for mixed relays competition, which was introduced in March this year at the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda.

Led by 1,500m world champion Elijah Manangoi, the 2012 Olympic steeplechase bronze medalist Abel Mutai, world 1,500m silver Timothy Cheruiyot and cross country regular John Chepkwony will grace men’s 10km race.

The 2010 IAAF world half marathon bronze medallist Peninah Arusei and IAAF World Championship 1,500m semi-finalist Winny Chebet are among the top guns expected to contest the women’s 10km category. Also expected is the 2017 Ndalat Gaa Cross Country champion Sandra Felis Chebet.

Both Mutai and Arusei will be representing Kenya Defence Forces, Thika engineers.   

Top six finishers with winners walking with Sh10,000 for the seniors while junior winners will win Sh8,000. Relays top finishers will pocket Sh20,000, first runners up Sh16,000 while third place taking Sh12, 000.

“As host County, we are putting measures to ensure the meeting goes on well and at the same time invite athletes to come for the Nairobi Championships as part of their season preparations,” said Barnaba Korir, the Nairobi AK region chairman. 

After the Nairobi meet, the 12-leg series moves to Sotik on November 11 with National Championships being February 10 at Uhuru Gardens.