T. NashipaeKamworor's message to aspiring cross country athletes
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 19.12.23. | 19:13
He advised the up-and-coming athletes that competing in the tough cross-country courses was setting them up for greater success and should anticipate a busy track season
Three-time World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor has urged budding athletes to take cross-country competitions with the seriousness they deserve. For him, the competitions are crucial in the athlete’s build-up ahead of the track season.
Speaking during the Ngelel Tarit Cross Country event that was held during Jamhuri Day in Eldoret, Kamworor was pleased with the level of competition exhibited, noting that it was shaping a brighter future for the discipline in the country.
"When I watch upcoming athletes taking part in cross country, it becomes apparent that we continue producing talents that will replace those who are retiring soon," Kamworor said.
He further advised the up-and-coming athletes that competing in the tough cross-country courses was setting them up for greater success and should anticipate a busy track season.
"I am urging budding athletes to take cross country seriously because it offers opportunities for build-up ahead of the track season. They need to set their focus on the 2024 World Cross Country Championships," he offered.
The much-awaited 2024 World Cross Country Championships will be staged on March 30, 2024, at the Park of Friendship in Belgrade, Serbia.
Kamworor also pointed out that he is uncertain about which race he will compete in 2024.
He was recently included in the tentative Team Kenya for the Paris 2024 Olympics but is yet to make up his mind on whether he will compete.
The 31-year-old has been battling a series of injuries that have ruled him out of major competitions. He recently pulled out of the 2023 New York City Marathon that was slated for November 5 owing to a pelvic stress injury. It was a bitter moment for him as he was in search of a third title in the prestigious race. He won the New York City Marathon in 2017 and 2019.
He was also hoping to use the 2023 New York City Marathon to weigh his skills ahead of the Olympics.
Kamworor noted that there were narrow chances for him to compete in races until his doctors and management advised.
"I don't know what race I will be taking part in the coming years because I am still managing the injury, although I am still focused on my training. At this point, I am not in a position to tell the race I would be competing in next year because I have just come from an injury and I am still treating the injury," he offered.
He was however optimistic that he would shake off the injury that has derailed his running career.
His woes started in June 2020 when he suffered a motorcycle accident during his morning run. The sorrowful experience saw him sustain injuries to his head and ankle. He successfully managed the injury after a surgical operation. Just when he thought he was fit for competition, the pelvic stress injury again ruled him out of competition.
Despite the injury, he has had an incredible year where he finished the 2024 London Marathon in second place behind Kelvin Kiptum to record 2:04:23.
He won the National Police Service Cross Country Championships in January, beating out Commonwealth 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo.
He missed the podium by a whisker during the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia where he finished fourth.
Berlin Half Marathon second-runner-up Bravin Kiprop and Marion Jepngetich took the honors in the Ngelel-Tarit Cross Country event.
