God handed me the ticket, says Rotich

BY Mutwiri Mutuota

While Paul Tanui ran away with headlines following his stunning 12km senior men victory at the National Cross Country Championships, Lucas Rotich Kimeli, the bridesmaid on the day is a name many did not fancy to make the country’s team.

When Tanui injected the burst that killed all opposition at the 8km mark, Rotich, a bronze medallist at the 2008 World Cross in Edinburgh ensured his foray into senior cross country running was rewarded handsomely by leading the challengers home in 35:42.7.

Although he trooped home half a minute behind the winner (35:12.5), Rotich, 20 on April 16, nonetheless completed the Uhuru Gardens upset that saw established campaigners panting in the wake of the turbo charged youngsters.

Lucas Rotich Kimeli

"I was not expecting to be among the top two," Rotich said adding: "It’s the work of God that I came here, faced all these strong athletes and emerged with a ticket to Poland, it’s unbelievable."

After securing bronze in Edinburgh, Rotich who had won silver over 3,000m a year earlier at the World Youth Championships, failed to build on his budding career, failing to make the Amman World Cross team.

"I had not trained well last year and although I competed, I did not make the team. I want to finish in a better position in Poland than in Edinburgh. With the right focus and training, it is possible," the Kimuron High School alumnus said.

The athletics bug stuck into his blood following encouragement from his mother, Salina Kigen, herself a former 800m and 1,500m athlete from his days at Kapsoiyo Primary School.

While a Standard 8 pupil there, Rotich displayed early signs of his potential by competing up to the district level of schools competitions. Two years later at the nationals, the then Kimuron student won the 10,000m title and emerged runner-up in the 5,000m.

At the 2007 World Youth Championships in Ostrava, the then form four student garnered global acclaim when, Rotich clocked 7:59.67 for silver behind compatriot Daniel Salel Lemashon.