Marathon specialist Gideon Kipchirchir hopes to make a big splash in his maiden cross country race at this weekend's Athletics Kenya Cross country meeting in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Kipchirchir, who has been training in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County under head coach Nicholas Chomongos Koech, said the second leg of the cross country series offers him an opportunity to test his physical readiness for upcoming competitions.
“This time, I want to try cross country because I have been concentrating in road running for a while. Through that, I will be gauging my form after a long time of training,” Kipchirchir, who finished second at the Zhuji Xishi Marathon in China, said.
The soft-spoken, lanky man will line up against elite and untested runners in a meeting expected to draw many athletes who train daily along major highways in the ‘Home of Champions’— aptly named so due to its culture of running.
“I am so prepared for the race and I believe I will get good results after my training that has been going on in this cold area,” added Kipchirchir.
The AK Elgeyo Marakwet secretary, Boniface Tiren, said they are expecting over 1,000 athletes across the seven categories.
“This is the county that has produced top runners. This day will be great for the locals as well as internationals who train here,” Tiren, also the Public Relations Officer for the North Rift Region, said.
The event will attract seven events, including: 10km senior men and women; 8km junior men; 6km junior women; 5km under-18 women; and 6km under-18 men and mixed relays.
“It will be a busy day for us as organisers but we are well prepared because this is a national event. We expect elite and young athletes to compete on the same level ground,” Tiren added.
