Simiu and Jepkorir Set to Defend National Cross Country Crowns in Eldoret
Sports enthusiasts are anticipating a fierce encounter as the entrants not only seek national titles but also hope to secure a spot on the team
n the 10km women's race, Kenya Prisons' Brilliant Jepkorir will try to replicate her previous success but is being pushed by an experienced and qualified group of athletes. Photo/ Courtesy
Kenya’s 10,000m World Championships silver medalist Daniel Simiu and Brilliant Jepkorir will defend their national cross country titles this Saturday, October 25, at the Eldoret Sports Club. The meeting promises to be fierce with the country’s top athletes vying for national honors and qualification slots for the World Cross Country Championships to be held early next year in Tehasse, USA.
Simiu, who is coming back from Kenya Police, returns to the same terrain where he took the men’s 10km crown this year. With his excellent form and international experience, he remains the favorite to beat. But it will not be a walk in the park for him since he will get tough competition from Silas Senchura, the reigning 10,000m national champion in Nairobi.
The men’s 10km race is also going to offer a good list of seasoned and new runners. Other than Simiu and Senchura, dark horse Benson Kiplangat, who is renowned for his young talent and consistency, will also feature on the list. Ishmael Rokitto and a couple of other talented runners have also thrown their hats into the ring, and the men’s race is now one of the hottest on the list.
Sports enthusiasts are anticipating a fierce encounter as the entrants not only seek national titles but also hope to secure a spot on the team that will compete for Kenya on the global level.
Jepkorir Has Sensitive Challenge in Women’s Race
In the 10km women’s race, Kenya Prisons’ Brilliant Jepkorir will try to replicate her previous success but is being pushed by an experienced and qualified group of athletes. She faces her toughest competition from Lillian Kassait, Mercy Chebet, and former world 5000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono. With this caliber of athletes, the women’s race will be open and highly unpredictable.
Selection for World Championships
The one-day national championships, being hosted by Athletics Kenya, will be a crucial selection event for the country’s team for the next World Cross Country Championships. The tournament will not only have senior 10km races, but also an 8km (under-20 men) and 6km (under-20 women) and a 2km loop race.
Over 400 runners nationwide will take part in the competition, all vying for some 30 much sought-after spots on the national team. The drama at Eldoret, Kenya’s athletics capital, is viewed to showcase the next generation of distance running champions while confirming the nation’s dominance in global athletics.
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