Korir challenges Kenyan athletes to take up mountain running

With a busy World Athletics calendar year ahead and athletes scrambling for the few places available to be part of Team Kenya to these major event, Athletics Kenya (AK) youth development chair Barnaba Korir has called on athletes to venture into mountain running. 

Mountain running is a sport that involves off-road running, mainly on mountainous terrain. It has been in existence for decades and is governed by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) which is affiliated to World Athletics. 

"Many are focused on the World Championship in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which will be the two major athletics events in 2022. Locally, Kenya will host two major international meetings; Agnes Tirop Memorial World Cross Country Tour and the Kip Keino Classic World Continental Tour. 

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However, hidden deep within the calendar of events is mountain running, which can be another avenue for athletes to get more competition under their belts," Korir wrote. 

Last year, Kenya's Joyce Muthoni Njeru was crowned the WMRA World Cup Champion after excelling in the seven of the 16 races staged as part of the series. Geoffrey Ndung’u finished third in the men’s division. In 2018, Lucy Murigi conquered the World Mountain Running Championship.

"For athletes who may not be able to qualify for the World Championships, Commonwealth Games or even the Cross Country Tour, mountain running presents an opportunity to quench your thirst for glory and cap off 2022 on a high.

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Some of the global events lined up for this year include World Masters Championships, World Cup Series and World Mountain and Trail Running Championship. Locally, AK have lined up a series of mountain running weekend meetings including in Nandi, Meru, Mt Longonot, Nyamira and Taita Taveta, among others," Korir continued. 

Korir believes such events will not only provide competitors with the chance to add to their medal collections but also better their physicality for other types of races by working on their strength and conditioning.

"Granted, mountain running is not for the faint-hearted considering the treachery of most of the terrain. However, we can take comfort in the fact that Kenya is similarly a powerhouse in this race. I am convinced that more of our athletes can excel in mountain running. Considering the synonymy between Kenyans and athletics, involvement in these championships will help raise the profile of the sport," he concluded. 

The first leg of the AK mountain running series was held in Nandi. In the senior men's 10km, Josphat Kiprotich clocked 47:47 for the win ahead of Frederick Domongole (47:51) and Hillary Maiyo (47:71). 

Elgeyo Marakwet's Edith Jepchumba was the winner of the women seniors, timing 1:01.06 ahead of the Nandi's Zenah Jeptoo and Monica Jeruto who clocked 1:01.12 and 1:02.02 in second and third respectively.

In the men's junior category, Amos Kipkurui from Nakuru finished first in 28:06 ahead of Nicholas Kiprop (28:30) and Bernard Kipchirchir (29:08).

Nandi's Valentine Jebet clocked 32:12 to win the women's junior category as Eileen Chepkoech (32:27) and Faith Chepchirchir (35:49) finished second and third respectively.