T. NashipaeJunior category introduced in Iten Cross Country championship
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 23.11.23. | 18:52
The third leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) cross country championships will be held in Iten on Saturday
Athletics coach Ian Kiprono has announced that they will introduce an only-junior category in the third leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) cross country championships slated for the high-altitude area in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on Saturday 25 November.
Speaking when inspecting the course, Kiprono pointed out that Maureen Chesang and Caren Jepkosgei will headline the Under 20 category in the 6km while Owan Lokorodi and Mustafa Kibet are the most notable names in the junior boys category.
He further added that the event was looking to expose competitors to high-level competitions. It would also help the athletes prepare for major events.
“These four are probable for better results at the meeting, which is being held at home. For now, my concentration has been on juniors,” Kiprono offered.
He also revealed that the tough course would improve the fitness of the young athletes, whose majority are coming from school. He expressed conviction that the young athletes were a long-term project.
“Because they are young, I want to test them against other top athletes in their cadres. With majority of them coming from school calendar, they have to run and know their fitness to enter them in other races,” Kiprono averred.
According to Kiprono, he did not achieve his target of registering a majority of young athletes since most of them are sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
He was looking to bank on the experience of the budding athletes that represented the country at the Africa under 20 and under 18 championships in Lusaka, Zambia and East Africa under 20 and under 18 championships in Arusha, Tanzania.
“I know they will conclude their examination on Friday but they cannot just come from class then less than 24 hours they are running, it won’t make sense to them and me as their coach,” said Kiprono.
The race is set to attract many athletes as part of their preparations for the world cross country championships in Belgrade, Serbia on March 30th 2024.
