Two-time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor has revealed he is not going to quit track anytime soon despite his success on the roads.
Speaking at the Kigari Teachers Training College, where Team Kenya to the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark is in residential training, Kamworor said he is still keen to be part of Team Kenya to August’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
However, the three-time World Half Marathon Champion could not reveal his distance of choice, between 5,000m and 10,000m, ahead of the global championships.
“I have not decided which race to run, but yes, it’s a priority once we are done with the World Cross Country,” said the 2:06 marathon man.
He remains determined to score a hat-trick of titles in Aarhus with his fifth-place finish at the national trials not a concern for him. He won the World Cross title in Guiyang, China in 2015, defended it in Kampala two years ago and he still keeps his push of emulating cross greats like Paul Tergat and John Ngugi, who won it five times each.
“I’m not worried about what happened at the national trials. Of importance is that I was selected in the team and I am confident I will retain my title,” he added.
Kamworor, who is captaining the side, expressed optimism that the team selected was the best he has been part of. “This is my fourth time at the world cross and if you look around, we have a good team, the best we have had so far. Remember, I have been with the team since my junior days,” he said. Kamworor said he is relishing the challenge of facing perennial rivals Ethiopia, Uganda and US runners at the event.
“This year will be tough. We have competition from our Kenyan brothers competing for America while Ethiopia and Uganda have come up very well lately,” he remarked.
He thanked Athletics Kenya for continued support in the availing kit and training allowances on time, saying: “We don’t have any complaints. We have been taken care of and we are grateful.”
The team will train for a further 10 days before leaving for Denmark on March 27.
Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya president Lt (Rtd) Gen Jackson Tuwei has urged Kenyan athletes to Aarhus to ensure they run clean since the country remains under the watch of the world anti-doping agencies. “I want you to send a message to the rest that you can compete clean and fair and you don’t have to cheat your way to success,” said Tuwei. He urged them to be an example to the rest of the world, adding that they have nothing to fear in competing against their perennial rivals including Ethiopia, USA, and Uganda.
“This year will be tough. Our brothers are running for other countries but I am glad our training has gone well. When I look at you, I see confident athletes,” added Tuwei. He thanked their hosts, Kigari Teachers Training College for their hospitality as well as the Ministry of Sports and sponsors, Lotto. “You have been well treated by the hosts and the whole of Kenya is rooting for you to succeed, and am confident you will do the country proud,” noted Tuwei.
