
Paul Machoka, Ken Koros, Michael Saoli, and Philemon Kiriago celebrate after winning the team title during the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships/ GICHANA ANGWENYI
New
categories will be introduced at next year’s Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain race
in Nandi County.
Julius Melly, the race patron, said that categories for U20 men and
women will be incorporated in next year’s race, set to be held in Tinderet constituency.
Athletes
normally participate in the senior men’s and women’s 14 km, but this time, juniors will feature in the 7km races.
Melly, who is also the
Tinderet MP, said this will be part of the team's preparations for the 2027 World Mountain
and Trail Running to be held at the iconic Table Mountains in Cape Town, South Africa.
The MP was recently in Canfranc Pirineos, Spain, for the third World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, where Uganda dominated the junior men's and women’s races. Melly said next year’s event, which is set for January 17, will be bigger and bolder.
“During the
World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, I met with officials and
athletes from several countries. They confirmed their participation in the Barng’etuny
Mountain Run next year. We expect a host of international athletes to attend the race. We intend
to make the race international,” noted the MP.
Melly held
talks with World Athletics Vice President Raul Chapado, newly elected World
Mountain Running President Sara Rowell, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister for
Sports, Peace Mabe.
Further, the
MP added that mountain runners should be recognised and rewarded like other
athletes who bring glory to the country. “I will raise the issue with Sports CS
Salim Mvurya. The award scheme should benefit all athletes who win medals at
major championships,” noted Melly.
He said he
was impressed by the performance of Kenyan athletes at the just-concluded World
Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain. Kenya won four individual
medals and three team titles during the five-day championships.
Philemon Kiriago
won Kenya’s lone gold medal, while others who won medals were Richard Atuya (silver),
Paul Machoka (bronze), and Ruth Gitonga (silver).