Barcelona Marathon champion Margaret Chelimo has shifted her focus to the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.
Speaking during the National Olympics Committee of Kenya sponsorships cheque presentation in Eldoret, Chelimo said next year will be a busy season as she also looks to participate in the African Championships and the World Championships.
“My calendar will be busy with the World Championships, African Championships and the World Cross Country Championships. However, my focus at the moment is on the cross country...that's my favourite,” Chelimo said.
The former world 5,000m silver medalist termed the just-concluded season as her best after registering several personal firsts and she will be hoping to replicate the same next season.
“I was happy with last season and I am hoping that the new season will be better, now that we have been awarded training scholarships. I think it is good to do cross country as preparation for track events,” she said.
On the scholarship, Chelimo said: “We are many Kenyans but I feel favoured and I am not taking this for granted. Through our coaches and physiotherapists, we are going to do our best at the Olympics in 2024."
"I feel so happy since at times we lack money to facilitate our training. Now that we have some money, we shall do our training in the best way possible,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chelimo recalled how they are having challenges accessing training facilities in the North Rift region since there is only one standard track, at Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
“In fact, the tartan at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is almost dilapidated. During the rainy seasons, we travel all the way from Kapsabet to Eldoret. Some may manage while many are unable to,” she said.
