Eyes on Team Kenya to Bathurst for title-chasing Borura

As the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country meets gun off on Saturday 15 October at the Machakos People's Park, Esther Borura has set her sights on defending the title she won at the same venue in November last year. 

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) runner clocked 34:07.4 to win the Machakos race last year, her first victory at the senior level and a performance that set the tone for the trajectory her career has taken. 

Athletics Kenya release 2022/2023 Cross Country season calendar

The 25-year-old admits that her preparations for the season-opening leg of the road races have not been as good as they were last year but promised to push her body to the limit with the title in mind. 

"I took part in a race in Prague back August, clocking 31:03 but I developed a hip joint injury that has significantly slowed me down in training since. 

I am, however, feeling better and I have managed to make some progress in preparations. I am expecting a bit of competition but my focus is set on testing my body as I go all out for the title," the Mogonga PAG alumni offered. 

The Adidas-sponsored athlete is looking to take part in at least three cross country events before the national championship set for 21 January 2023 at the Kenya Prisons Training College- Ruiru. 

"I am hoping to make Team Kenya to the World Athletics Cross Country Championships set for 18 February 2023 in Bathurst, Australia and as part of my build up I will take part in Machakos and prepare better for Olkalau leg set for 26 November. 

I also have KDF Cross in my calender, set for 6 January 2023 where I will be looking to make the team for the national championship. Making Team Kenya to the global championship will be a dream come true," offered Borura. 

This year, Borura, whose athletics journey can be traced back to Mogonga PAG where she competed at the East African school games before joining KDF, has managed a PB of 31:02 in finishing fifth at her first Adizero Adidas race organised by the company at their headquarters. 

Last year's race in Machakos was her first since competing at the school games in 2017 while in form four. She also took part in the Olkalau leg and KDF Cross Country Championships, the nationals and finally the Agnes Tirop memorial. 

"Apart from Machakos, the others were not the best of performances. I also took part in the KDF track and field event competing in 10,000m where I finished fifth and in 1500 for fourth place and missed on on the military team to the national championship," explains Borura. 

She has, however, made great strides from clocking 34:07 in Machakos last year. In May, she competed in Bengaluru 10km finished in eighth place in 32.29 in a race won by Irene Cheptai in 30:35 with Hellen Obiri in second place clocking 30.44. 

She is hoping to gain some momentum with the events lined up for this year to be able to contest for a maiden ticket to represent the country in Bathurst.