World champions Asbel Kiprop, Julius Yego and Nicholas Bett lead a galaxy of world beating stars to the sixth and final Athletics Kenya meeting at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium between tomorrow and Saturday.
Yego said the meeting will be crucial as he seeks to gauge his preparations, which are geared towards a podium place at the August Rio Olympics.
“First it is very important for us to compete in Eldoret, our home area,” said Yego.
“We (top athletes) want to show our fans how we do it abroad in reciprocation of their support.”
“We have been training for quite some time and this meeting offers a last chance to gauge ourselves and see where we are and what we need to add into our preparations ahead of the bigger events,” added Yego.
Kiprop said he skipped fifth meeting in Kisii because he wanted to be ready for Eldoret, where he will compete against the likes of silver medallist from Beijing, Elijah Manag’oi and Silas Kiplagat.
Diamond League steeplechase winner Jairus Birech confirmed his participation too and will be joined with other water and barrier specialists led by his predecessor Paul Kipsiele Koech.
The 2013 world 800m champion Eunice Sum and World Indoor bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera are also expected alongside Commonwealth 5000m champion Mercy Cherono.
“All is set for the 6th Athletics Kenya weekend contest. Most of our top class and up-and-coming runners will be participating in both the track and field events. This will be their last local competition before the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Diamond Meeting and subsequent League in Europe,” said Central Rift Region AK secretary Kennedy Tanui.
“We have put into considerations the great number that may turn up especially on the first day. We are going to have several heats and semis and officials who are going to man the event must be thorough and fast. We must do our best. The track is fine and in good conditions,” added Barnabas Kitilit, the Central Rift AK Vice-chairman.
The upgrading of Kipchoge Stadium to the international specification has shift the trend of national competitions and boosted training of a number of athletes who use the region’s high altitude during their preparations.
Eldoret is going to be last build-up competitions after the five meetings that saw athletes compete in Bondo (Nyanza North), Mumias (Western), Thika (Central Region), Nakuru (South Rift) and Kisii (Nyanza South).