ATHLETICS: Start list out for Eldoret showdown

Leonard Barsoton and Geoffrey Kamworor leads in senior men 10km race during the National Cross Country Championship at Uhuru Gardens on Feb 18, 2017.[PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Athletics Kenya has released a star-studded start list that includes champion Geoffrey Kamworor for the much anticipated National Cross Country Championships cum IAAF World Cross Country trials to be held in Eldoret next week.

The north rift town will be treated to a titanic battle on February 23 as promising World Under-20 10,00m champion Rhonex Kipruto seeks to upset the established order that also includes Leonard Barsoton.

Bedan Karoki, a constant feature in the start list, misses out for the first time in four years.

All eyes, however, will be on exciting prospect Rhonex when he comes face to face with big-guns at the event to be hosted at Eldoret Sports Club.

In the senior women’s 10km race, Hellen Obiri will square it out with world steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech as well as Commonwealth Games silver medalist in 10,000m Stacy Ndiwa, world bronze medalist in 10,000m Agnes Tirop among others.

In the junior category, Leonard Bett will take on a host of newcomers such as Naibei Kiplimo, Victor Chepkwony and Albert Tonui among others.

World Under-20 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet and Lydia Jeruto will be the front runners in junior women and world half marathon bronze medalist Pauline Kaveke.

The event, which will be held outside Nairobi for the first time was boosted yesterday with Sh10 million sponsorship from Lotto Foundation during a ceremony attended by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and AK President Jackson Tuwei.

Tuwei said: “We will now be organising the National Cross Country Championships across the country. I know the fans will enjoy the event and definitely light up the event.” 

Governor Mandago described the trials as “a mini world championships” and urged Kenyans to flock the City of Champions

“This will be a mini world championship because those, who will win in Eldoret are most likely to bag medals in Aarhus, Denmark next month. So, don’t miss the action here in Eldoret.”