Elite skip race

By James Waindi

Top female athletes will be missing in action at today’s (Saturday) Police Cross Country Championships set to be held at the Ngong Race Course.

Kenya Police coach Nicholas Kirisio, double world champion and Kenya’s athlete of the year Vivian Cheruiyot, national cross country champion Linet Masai, who is also a former World Championships 10, 000m winner, and two times World Championships 5,000m silver medallist Sylvia Kibet are expected to miss the action.

"We will only have two races tomorrow (today), the 8km senior women race and the 12km men race because we don’t have juniors. Linet Masai, Vivian Cheruiyot and Sylvia Kibet will not be available for the race as they are running in a Cross Country meeting in Seville on the same day, but there are still more elite athletes who will be gracing the race," said Kirisio.

In their absence, the focus will be on two times World Junior champion and Africa Cross Country champion Mercy Cherono as well as 2010 Commonwealth gold medallist Grace Momanyi, last year’s winner Pauline Njeri, world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat and Esther Chemutai among others.

Team selection

"We will be picking the first 12 across the line, then the team will go to camp in Kigari, Embu where we will select the final squad to represent Kenya Police at the National Cross Country Championships on February 18," said Kirisio.

Both races are expected to be mouth watering, as it has been the tradition with Police championships in the past. The first race will start at 9.30 am, the 8km senior women race and it will be followed immediately by the 12km senior men race.

In the 12k men race, cut throat competition is expected and reigning Boston and New Marathon winner, who is also the fastest man over the 42km distance Geoffrey Mutai has admitted that he expected to get a run for his money in the race, his first competitive race since he won the New York marathon on November 6.

A star-studded field is expected in the 12km race where Mutai, who clocked 37:26.0 to win last year’s Police championships while running for Vigilance, will be keen to retain his title. But he will be rubbing shoulders against Olympic gold medallist and World champion Asbel Kiprop, Commonwealth gold medallist Richard Mateelong, former World Cross Country Championships bronze medallist Mathew Kisorio and Rotterdam Half marathon champion Sammy Kitwara among others.

Philemon Rono, who was second during Police’s championships last year in a time of 37:51.6 will also be a threat to the big wigs so is Lucas Rotich, who finished third last year, Philemon Kimeli, Titus Mbishei, Josphat Bett and Vincent Yator.

"I expect a tough race and I am sure the elite athletes will give me a run for my money. Police always have very good runners and there are more emerging every year, so it is going to be very competitive," said Mutai, who is also the reigning national champions.