Faith Chepng’etich when competing at the Beijing World Championships in August. PHOTO FILE
NAIROBI, January 5 – World 1500m silver medallist Faith Chepng’etich will highlight the final Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series slotted for Saturday at Kabianga University in Sotik.
Chepng’etich who has been sitting on the fence since representing the country at the Beijing World Championships where she finished second, will be out to reaffirm her authority in the event as she eyes selection for the Africa Cross Country set for March in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The seventh leg will see dominant forces Cleophas Ng’etich, Dominic Kiptarus (men), Caroline Chepkoech and Sheila Chepkurui (women) underline the start-list in the 10km senior categories as they seek to clinch the overall crowns.
However, the leaders will have to keep their winning tricks closer to their heels as they compete against headwinds likely to be mounted by new forces from Philip Langat and Chepng’etich.
The quartet of Sandra Chebet, her sister Emily Chebet, Alfred Ng’eno and Andrew Lorot will be leaving nothing to chance as they seek their last victories as juniors before graduating to the senior ranks later in the season.
Naomi Chebet, who finished second during the 4th Premium cross-country in Iten, won in Mt Elgon with new entrants Charles Chemengich beating Nairobi winner Kiptarus to second in the senior men.
Sheila Chelangat and Isaac Kipsang dominated the junior races and it will be curious to see who will carry the day in Sotik if other victors Cecilia Maria (Kangaru), Ivyn Chepkemoi (Nyahururu) and Chebet (Nairobi and Iten) compete in the final leg.
Kiptarus, Ng’etich and Emmanuel Kipsang have won in Nairobi, Embu, Nyahururu and Iten while Chepkoech, Chepkurui and Pauline Korikwiang won the senior women race in Nairobi, Embu and Iten.
The bulk of participants will be expected to come from neighboring regions such as Kericho, Keringet, Olenguruoni, Bomet, Kuresoi, Nakuru as well as from institutions like Police Service and the Prisons who have been hosting the event.
The Sotik Meeting will conclude the seven country-wide competition build-up legs, paving way for the Kenya Defense Forces Cross Country Championships on January 15, a day before Kenya National Police Service hold theirs.
Prisons Service will conclude the forces championships on January 23 before the regions championship on January 30.
