Cynthia Chepngeno and Vincent Langat target another chance in Team Kenya when Athletics Kenya conducts trials for the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Ruiru this weekend.
Chepng'eno and Langat led Kenya to 1-2 finishes at the Africa Cross Country in Hammamet, Tunisia, and will seek to replicate this form to book their tickets to Belgrade, Serbia, on March 30.
The national cross country championships/trials will be held at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru, on Saturday.
Speaking upon return from Tunisia, Chepngeno said: “After an amazing win in Tunisia, I hope to make Team Kenya to Belgrade."
Chepngeno plans to run 10km daily in preparation for Saturday's meeting.
"Since I am just from another race, I plan to have light training. I will be doing 10km runs daily," she noted.
Chepngeno, who is based in Keringet, has, however, moved her training to Ngong, where she will seek to improve her speed.
The 23-year-old, a silver medallist from the Prague 10km road race, expects tough competition from the elite athletes but remains confident of a top-six finish.
"The senior women's race is very competitive. There are many elite athletes. However, I am confident about making the team," she added.
Teamwork, she said, was key to their triumph in Tunisia.
Chengeno led 2010 Youth Olympic Games 2,000m champion Virginia Nyambura to a 1-2 finish in the senior women's in respective times of 32:31.04 and 32:33.45.
Ethiopian Azimeraw Degitu placed third in 33:03.85 with another Kenyan, Gladys Kwamboka, fourth in 33:10.18.
Langat also led another Kenyan 1-2 finish in the 10km senior men’s race clocking 28:31.28 for the title with Naibei Mayabei second in 28:40.27.
Ethiopian Gemechu Dida completed the podium in 28:57.23.
“I hope to make the team to Serbia. I will train hard before Saturday's meet,” he stated.
Langat said proper preparation was key to winning the Tunisian race.
The 2019 world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich won the women's national cross country title last year in 32:56 with Charles Lokir taking the senior men’s title in 29:16.
Chepngetich and world cross country champion Beatrice Chebet are expected to add spice to Saturday's action in Kenya Prisons and National Police colours respectively.
