NAIROBI, Kenya, February 10 – A prize kitty of Sh560,000 will be up for grabs at the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country trials at Uhuru gardens on February 20.KCB head of corporate affairs Kepha Bosire said on Tuesday that the top 10 finishers in each of the four categories will be rewarded for their efforts at the 16th edition of Kenya’s premier cross country event.
“The winner in each race will get Sh50,000 while second an third place stand to get Sh30,000 and Sh20,000 respectively,” said Bosire who also confirmed that they will continue to support the cross country throughout the 2010/2011 season.
AK will furnish the winner of the jackpot with Sh250,000. A runner qualifies for the jackpot if they have three previous series victories under the belt and replicate the same at the trials.
“If none of the previous winners win at the trials, we will distribute the prize money amongst them proportionately,” said AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat.
Twenty four athletes will be selected for the national team and will commence training on February 24 at Kigari Teachers Training College in Embu ahead of the IAAF World Cross Country Champions in Bydogoszcz, Poland.
The four athletes across the line in each race will be automatic selections while the remaining two will be selected on wild card basis.
Ten officials including two coaches will oversee the Kigari camp leading up to the championships on March 28.
AK secretary general David Okeyo said that they would not consider individual entries unless those recommended by the technical committee.
“We know that there are those athletes who have been performing well in Europe that is why we have the committee to advise us,” said Okeyo.
