Star-studded field as AK weekend meetings get underway in Machakos
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 18.10.24. | 16:30
With the prize money increased hundredfold from Ksh5000 to Ksh50,000, participation is bound to increase
World Cross Country mixed relay champion Reynold Cheruiyot, African Championships 800m silver medalist Lilian Odira and 2015 World Youth Championships silver medalist Sandrafelis Chebet are among top athletes set to compete in this weekend’s Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series opener at the Machakos Teachers’ Training College.
The trio, who have had disappointing spells on the track and field in recent months, will be among hundreds battling for top honours across seven categories of competition including Machakos Teachers College Fun Run (Men and Women), Under-20 (Men 8km and Women 6km), 10km Senior (Men and Women) and Mixed Relays.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s showdown, AK’s director of competition Paul Mutwii called on more athletes to continue registering, noting the importance of the event in preparations for next year’s Africa Cross Country Championships as well as the World Championships in Tokyo.
Others expected to line up at the event include the 2022 World Indoor 1500m bronze medalist Abel Kipsang, Winfred Mbithe, the 2021 World Relays silver medalist Naomi Korir, South Rift’s Bethwell Kibiwot, Machakos-based Athanas Kioko and Kenya Prisons’ Kipngetich Ng’eno.
With the prize money increased hundredfold from Ksh5000 to Ksh50,000, Mutwii’s clarion call is bound to attract an avalanche of response from athletes around the country.
AK’s marketing director Abraham Mutai says there are better things to come as the federation remains locked in discussions with potential corporate partners.
“We want to make the local calendar lucrative that’s why we have increased the weekend series prize money. We want to lock in a sponsor so that the series will have a jackpot prize money and are already in talks with potential sponsors. We will be making an announcement soon,” he said.
Other legs of the annual series include Kapsokwony (26 October), Bomet (2 November), Olkalau (30 November), Kisii (14 December) and Iten ( 4 January ).
