Team Kenya men’s captain Joseph Okal believes Kenya’s 20-member squad is ready and motivated as the country prepares to host the seventh edition of the Africa Duathlon and Triathlon Cups this weekend in Kilifi.
Endurance athletes drawn from 11 countries converge in pursuit of ranking points and glory.
“We’ve trained well and the team is motivated,” said Okal, who will spearhead Kenya’s charge in the duathlon.
“Our sessions have been structured and consistent, and this gives us the endurance we need for the coastal show.”
Okal, who clinched gold in 1:02:01 in last year’s Africa Duathlon Cup in Kasarani, says they will capitalise on their unity and home advantage to carry the day.
“Playing on home soil gives us confidence. Yes, it comes with pressure, but good pressure—the kind of pressure that pushes you to perform your best. As captain, my focus is on the team first. We race as one, and that makes every finish line a shared victory.”
He added, "As a team, we want to perform, learn, and represent Kenya the best way we can. Every pedal, every stride and every swim stroke matters. This is about putting Kenya on the world triathlon map.”
Women’s captain Bernice Kariuki, who will double up in the triathlon event, echoed sentiments about teamwork and preparations.
“For running, I train at Strathmore, and for cycling, I prefer Limuru’s high altitude, because it makes you stronger when you race near sea level,” she said.
“To perform at your best, you need to handle pressure well. Being at home gives us that extra motivation to represent our country proudly.”
Among Kenya’s top entrants is Megan Irungu, returning to the triathlon after clocking 1:26:14 in last season’s event, while Joset Kiarie will feature in the aquabike category that combines swim and cycle.
Kariuki said Kenya’s recent performances across various categories reflect steady growth in the sport. “For age-groupers, we had several podiums among the seniors and youth,” she said. “It shows the growth and consistency in our development programme.”
Head coach Camila Lydia has been fine-tuning both squads with an emphasis on structure, conditioning, and adaptability.
“This is a young but disciplined team,” she said. “They’ve responded well to training, and we’re focusing on transitions, hydration, and recovery. Competing against international athletes gives them valuable exposure.”
The Kilifi event, which is the seventh edition since 2021,
continues to cement its status on the continent’s endurance calendar.
It has attracted entries from Japan, Germany, Venezuela, Morocco, Mauritius, Austria, Hungary, Israel, Tanzania, Singapore, and the Central African Republic, and offers crucial Olympic and World Championship ranking points.
The Africa Duathlon Cup will take place on Saturday, followed by the Africa Triathlon Cup on Sunday. The event is being organised by Triathlon Kenya, Africa Triathlon, and World Triathlon at the Kilifi waterfront.
