The first group of the National Athletics Kenya Team to the 16^th International Association of Athletics Federation World Championships left the country on Tuesday morning this week to London with high expectations.

The Kenyan charges is heading to British capital with their precision prescribed after topping the world during the previous championships in Beijing in 2015.

The first group left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the morning ahead of the biannual contest will start officially on Friday.

Multiple champions Ezekiel Kemboi, Asbel Kiprop and women steeplechase defender Hyvin Kiyeng are leading the squad as they seek to retain their titles in their respective events.

However, Kenyans will miss the services of three defending champions after David Rudisha (800m) and Nicholas Bett pulled out of the championships due to injuries while Vivian Cheruiyot, the winner of the women’s 10,000metres in Beijing, has shifted to Road Races.

Kemboi, also two-time Olympic gold medal winner, is commanding the trio of Rio Olympic champion Consenlus Kipruto, Beijing Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and 2015 Diamond League trophy winner Jairus Kipchoge in the men’s steeplechase arena.

In 800metres, Kenyan will be relying on the services of 2016 Diamond League plague winner Ferguson Rotich and new discoveries Emmanuel Korir and Kipyegon Bett who made their maiden appearance in the national team during the trials.

Asbel Kiprop , the Beijing winner, on-form Ronald Kwemoi and the pair of Timothy Cheruiyot and Elijah Manangoi will rule in the 1,500metres while Kenya will be anticipating her first ever gold medal in the women replica through Olympic champion Faith Chepng’etich, Winnie Chebet and Judy Kiyeng.

Kenya won the overall title in Beijing two years ago with 15 medals- 6 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze.  The championships will run from 4th to 13th of August.

Men 100m

 1. Mark Otieno

Men 200m:

 1. Mark Otieno

Women 400m:

 1. Maximilla Imali

Men 400m:

 1. Raymond Kibet

 2. Alphas Kishioyan

 3. Collins Omae

Men 400m Hurdles:

 1. Haron Koech

Women 800m:

 1. Margaret Nyairera

 2. Eunice Sum

 3. Emily Cherotich

Men 800m:

 1. Emmanuel Korir

 2. Kipyegon Bett

 3. Ferguson Rotich

Women 1500m:

 1. Faith Chepn’getich

 2. Winnie Chebet

 3. Judy Kiyeng

Men 1500m:

 1. Ronald Kwemoi

 2. Timothy Cheruiyot

 3. Elijah Manangoi

 4.  Asbel Kiprop

Womens 3000m steeplechase:

 1. Cellphine Chepsol

 2. Beatrice Chepkoech

 3. Purity Kirui

 4. Hyvin Kiyeng

Men 3000m steeplechase:

 1. Conseslus Kipruto

 2. Brimin Kipruto

 3. Jairus Birech

 4. Ezekiel Kemboi

Women 5000m:

 1. Helen Obiri

 2. Margaret Chelimo

 3. Sheila Chekpkirui

Men 5000m:

 1. Cyrus Ruto

2. David Kiplagat

3. Josphat Kiprono Menjo

 Women 10,000m:

 1. Agnes Tirop

 2. Irene Cheptai

 3. Alice Aprot

Men Javelin:

 1. Julius Yego

Women race walk

 1. Grace Wanjiru

Men walk race

 1. Samuel Gathimba

 2. Simon Wachira

Women’s marathon

 1. Edna Kiplagat

 2. Hela Kiprop

 3. Flomena Cheyech

Men Marathon

 1. Daniel Wanjiru

 2. Geoffrey Kirui

 3. Gideon Kipketer

Athletics Kenya

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Kenya successfully hosted the last edition of the World Under18 Championships in Nairobi this month with the mastery characteristic of a sporting nation.

The five days of action brought the world home and the event will go down in history as it marked end of the 18 years old International Association of Athletics Federation global youth championship event that was launched in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 1999.

It was a great honour bestowed on the country which has participated in all the 10th editions with immense success, always topping the medal table or coming 2nd in the biannual championships that was inaugurated for youths aged between 16 and 17 years.

Although the competitions have been removed from the IAAF calendar of events, the championships have significantly given Kenya the opportunity to indentify and nurture global conquering heroes and heroines.

Right from the inception in Poland in 1999, then known as IAAF World Youth Championships, renown Kenyans athletes have come from the production line that mainly targeted primary and high school students.

Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, later re-branded ‘Eldoret Express’, Cornelius Chirchir, Viola Jelagat Kibiwott pioneered in the championship with the former going on to win the global title in Osaka in 2007 and silver medal in Beijing Olympics in 2008.

During the second edition in Debrecen, Hungary, in 2001, Kenya discovered the potentials in Olympic champions Vivian Cheruiyot, Brimin Kipruto among others who have become Kenya’s athletics household names.

Others in subsequent championships include Augustine Choge, Mercy Cherono, Timothy Kitum, Faith Chepng’etich ending with the newly crowned medalists led by George Manangoi (1,500m), Jacline Wambui (800m), Leonard Bett (2,000m S/Chase) and Caren Chebet (2,000m S/Chase) and 11 more who came to the fore.

It was a glorious ending to an event synonymous with Kenyans and in Kenya

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

The World Under18 Championships heralded scripts synonymous with what the country is revered for in the global athletics; winning medals.

The only difference was that the scene was enacted at home with Kenya’s athletics fans actively playing the spectators as home-boys and girls burnt their lungs out pursuing international glory in their presence.

Despite of a downward descend on the overall medal table compared to previous editions, putting 15 medals in the harvest basket reaffirm the bright future the country is heading to upon the graduation of the youths to the senior ranks.

The championships churned out the next generation of middle and long distant runners as the country continue making inroads in events previously assumed to be the preserve of other nations.

The first on the production line to open the medal table p was the incoming 1,500m Prince George Meitemei Manangoi who enlarged the Manangois brand initiated by his elder sibling Elijah Motonei Manangoi in the same event.

Just like in 1,500m where Kenya has dominated the race since the times of legendry Kipchoge Keino, Leonard Kiplagat Kibet guaranteed Kenyans the Steeplechase race will still be the domain of Kenyans after winning the second gold medal in race pioneered by Amos Biwott and his successors. Caren Chebet carried the winning streak in the girls’ class.

The fourth gold medal was convincingly won by Jackline Wambui in the footsteps of Gladys Wamuyu, Faith Machariah, Janeth Busienei, Lydia Wafula, Pamela Jelimo and Eunice Sum who have dominated the two-lap race in the past.

New grounds were broken in three events where talented Mary Moraa, who was branded ‘Kisii Express’, Moitalel Naadokila and Dominic Ndigiti convinced Kenyans that the country is capable of broadening medal haul when they won the silverwares in the rare 400metres for girls, 400m hurdles and in boy’s 10,000metres Walk respectively.

Nevertheless, the a few amateurish technical gaffes denied the boys and girls more medals that would have buoyed the team to maintain the country’s global ranking as witnessed in the previous 9 editions.

 Gold medalists

 1. George Meitemei Manangoi (1,500m)

 2. Leonard Kipkemoi Bett (2,000m S/Chase)

 3. Caren Chebet (2,000m S/Chase)

 4. Jackline Wambui (800m)

Silver medalists

 1. Edward Zakayo (3,000m)

 2. Cleophas Kandie Meyan (2,000mS/Chase)

 3. Moitalel Mpoke Naadokila (400m Hurdles)

 4. Mary Moraa (400m)

 5. Lydia Cheruto (800m)

 6. Immaculate Chepkirui (3,000m)

 7. Mercy Chepkirui (2,000m S/Chase)

Bronze Medalists

 1. Stanley Mburu (3,000m)

 2. Dominic Ndigiti (10,000m Walk)

 3. Japhet Toroitich (800m)

 4. Ednah Jebitok (1,500m)

Athletics Kenya

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The pioneers of Kenya’s athletics history will be relieving their running exploits of the 1950s and 1960s when they watch the young generation taking the sport’s mantle in the 21st century.

Courtesy of the Local Organizing Committee and Athletics Kenya, all the past medal winners beginning with Nyandika Maiyoro,  Kiprugut Chumo and Kanuti Arap Sum in 1954 and 56 to Consenslus Kipruto and Kipyegon Bett will watch the Nairobi WU18 that starts on Wednesday at Kasarani.

The two institutions have invited a record 157 athletes who have won medals in the Olympics, World Championships and in Commonwealth Games as special guests during the global competitions that has enticed more than 150 nations.

It will be the past meeting the future when the pioneers, some walking with the help of their walking sticks, grace the 5 days of excitement at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani where the last major action took place 30 years ago during the 4th All Africa Games in 1987.

“We value the contribution made by our pioneer athletes and the foundation they laid for our sports. Kenya’s athletics history is not complete without their immeasurable input. They will be our worthy guests,” said Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. Rtd Jackson Tuwei, also the Chairman of the Nairobi WU18 Local Organizing Committee.

The athletes, whose main role will be mentoring Team Kenya for the championship, will be accommodated at Safari Park Hotel where they are expected to check in on Tuesday 11th, a day before the championships starts.

Through their passion and sense of patriotism, the pioneer athletes started what is the current dynamo of athletics in the country.

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Media & Competitions

The final preparations for the 16th International Association of Athletics Federation’s World Championships intensify this week after Team Kenya assembles for training.

The national team of 48 athletes that was picked by Athletics Kenya two weeks ago reported in Nairobi on Sunday and will remain in residential training until July 30th before leaving the country to London ahead of the global competitions that will run from August 4^th to 13th.

Athletics Kenya named the squad on Saturday 24th after two days of tantalizing national trial that ushered in the birth of new champions in several events.

As expected, reigning Olympics, World and Continental champions secured their slots in the team with less persuasion after winning in their respective events as new entrants made their maiden appearance in the national team.

David Rudisha (800m), Faith Chepng’etich (1,500m) and Conseslus (3,000m Steeplechase) returned to Team Kenya after their epic performance in Rio Olympics as well as during the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China.

Ezekiel Kemboi, Asbel Kiprop, Hyvin Kiyeng and Rudisha found their way into the team courtesy of being the defending champions while Javelin super master Julius Yego set a new national record (87.97) to re-qualify for the August Championships.

World Cross-country champion Geoffrey Kamworor, World Half Marathon silver medalist Bedan Karoki and Olympic 10,000metres runners-up Paul Tanui have once again been tasked with the duties of stopping British Mo Farah in 10,000metres.

During the trials sponsored by mobile phone service provider Safaricom held at Nyayo Stadium, new talents proved their readiness to represent the country by upstaging experienced candidates with ease.

Cyrus Rutto and Davis Kiplagat excelled in men’s 5,000metres while Agnes Tirop, 21, the 2015 World Cross Country Champion, upset champions Irene Cheptai and Alice Aprot to top in the women 10,000metres and booked her ticket to the coveted championships .

In 800 and 1,500metres men, University student Emmanuel Korir and youthful Kipyegon Bett are automatically in the team while versatile Ronald Kwemoi and Timothy Cheruiyot are the new inclusions in 1,500m.

The team, under the tutorage of national head coach Julius Kirwa and former Sprinter Vincent Mumo will train for three weeks and leave for London where Kenya will be defending the overall title after unmatched performance in Beijing in 2015.

 TEAM LIST

Men 400m Hurdles:

 1. Haron Koech

  2. Kiprono Kosgei

 3. Nicholas Bett

Women 10,000m:

 1. Agnes Tirop

 2. Irene Cheptai

 3. Alice Aprot

Men 200m:

 1. Mark Otieno

Women 5000m

1. Helen Obir

2. Margaret Chelimo

Men 5000m:

1. Cyrus Ruto

 2. David Kiplagat

Women 400m:

 1. Maximilla Imali

Men 400m:

 1. Raymond Kibet

  2. Alphas Kishioyan

 3. Collins Omae

Men Javelin:

 1. Julius Yego

Men 1500m:

 1. Ronald Kwemoi

 2. Timothy Cheruiyot

 3. Elijah Manangoi

 4.  Asbel Kiprop

Womens 1500m:

 1. Faith Chepn’getich

 2. Winnie Chebet

Womens 3000m steeplechase:

 1. Cellphine Chepsol

 2. Beatrice Chepkoech

 3. Purity Kirui

 4. Hyvin Kiyeng

Men 3,00m steeplechase:

 1. Conseslus Kipruto

 2. Birmin Kipruto

 3. Jairus Birech

 4. Ezekiel Kemboi

Women 800m:

 1. Margaret Nyairera

 2. Eunice Sum

 3. Emily Cherotich

Men 800m:

 1. Emmanuel Korir

 2. Kipyegon Bett

 3. Michael Saruni

 4. Ferguson Rotich

 5. David Rudisha

Triple jump

 1. Elijah Kimitei

 Men walk race

 1. Samuel Gathimba

 2. Simon Wachira

Women race walk

 1. Grace Wanjiru

Men Marathon

 1. Daniel Wanjiru

 2. Geoffrey Kirui

 3. Gideon Kipketer

Women’s marathon

  1. Edna Kiplagat

  2. Hela Kiprop

 3. Flomena Cheyech

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications 

It is all-system go as athletes from more than 150 countries started arriving in Kenya for the IAAF Nairobi World Under18 championships that will be officially opened on Wednesday.

The Local Organizing Committee and Government officials have completed all the plans for the championships as the country roll out the red carpet welcome to world.

Poland, the host of the inaugural edition in 1999, was the first to send her 31 member-team that arrived on Tuesday last week followed by Argentina and Namibia on Wednesday with 2 and 5 athletes respectively.

Teams from Algeria, Bahamas, Chile and Cuba arrived on Friday while those from France, Germany, Iraq, Switzerland, Colombia, Czech Republic and Ethiopia arrived on Saturday and Sunday for the biannual championship that is taking place in Africa for the first time.

More athletes from 75 countries will be arriving on Monday with 28 others landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday before the official opening ceremony on Wednesday.

Kenyatta University will be used as the athletics village during the entire period while Kasarani will be the venue for competitions that runs from July 12th to July 16th.

Kenya’s representatives reported to the village on Saturday after breaking their training camp at Milele hotel where they had pitched camp for three weeks.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Competitions

With one week remaining to the last edition of the World Under18 Championships, the Kenyan charges are beaming with confidence of winning medals at home.

  The 60-member team that has been training in Nairobi after the selection last month will be flying the national flag at home where over 130 countries will be competing in the biannual contest at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

  On Tuesday, Kenyatta University handed over the facility which will be used as the athletics village during the championships that runs from Wednesday July 12th to Sunday July 16th.

 The squad of track and field youths moved into the residential training last month and stayed at Milele Hotel as they intensified their preparations with the sole aim of winning as many medals as possible.

“Our final preparations have given us opportunity to work on weak areas and we are encouraged with the spirit of the squad. The team has trained well,” said team’s head coach Francis Gikonyo when the team joined the event’s Patron First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Local Organizing Committee members and the Ministry of Sports officials during the inspection of the venue for the championship.

  During the selection at Nyayo National Stadium on June 13th and 14th, Athletics Kenya picked a 59-member team comprising of mainly school boys and girls aged 16 and 17 years for the event that is marking its 10th anniversary this year.

 “As we host the world in Nairobi, we have to win as many medal as possible since we shall be competing at home. The selected team is equal to the task,” said Athletics Kenya Youth Committee chairman Barnabas Korir, who is also the WU18 Team Manager.

 More than 400 boys and girls born between 200 and 2001 and those below 20 took part in the energy-draining trial that saw Kenya sent those aged 18 and 19 years to Africa Junior Championships where the country won a total of 11 medals last week in Algeria.

Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei has called on Kenyans and athletics fans to turn up in large numbers during the championships that will take place at Kasarani to boast the morale of team.

  “Kenya picked the best team this year. We are sure of finishing on top of the medal table not only on by bagging medals on the track but also in the field. Our selectors settled on the best that will be flying our national flag even after this World Championships,” said the President, who is also the chairman of the Nairobi WU18 Local Organizing Committee.

  While training in Nairobi, the team consolidated the spirit of teamwork as well as undergoing physical and mental training with experts giving them both moral and material support.

  Kenya has been dominating in the championships since its inception in Poland in 1999 where the country emerged the overall winners.

 Athletics Kenya

Media & Communication

The waiting for the coveted tickets to represent Kenya during the August 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships will end this Saturday after a bruising contest for the bragging rights.

Athletics Kenya has already released names of 247 athletes for the National Trials programmed to take place this weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium where defending champions faces uphill tasks in reclaiming their past glory.

Firework will illuminate the two-day tussle for slots in the national team when all those with International Association of Athletics Federation’s qualifying standards put their fitness to test on Friday and Saturday.

With only the first three finishers across the line being guaranteed of wearing the national colours, there will be no love lost when upsets pity the old order against Rockies out to try their newly discovered running talents.

The climax of the trial, epitomized as the mini-world championships, will usher in new blood in the sprints when Mark Otieno square it out with Ferdinand Omanyala in 100 and 200metres while new comer Maxilla Imali will meet her match in Rosyline Indimuli in the women replica.

The 1,500metres game will be the most interesting race to watch when the pair of Timothy Cheruiyot, the fastest this season (3:30.77) and Elijah Motonei Manangoi team up against three times champion Asbel Kiprop.

In women, Olympic Champion Faith Chepng’etich will have to tame Winnie Chebet and Judy Kiyeng to acquire the ticket to the global championships.

Olympic 400m hurdles silver medalist Boniface Tumuti will have to prove his worth when he faces pioneer brothers Nicholas Bett (World Champion) and Harun Koech in the finals of their specialty while Maureen Jelagat, the Africa bronze medalists will have to watch her rivals closely to reclaim the victory.

David Rudisha, the ruling King over the 800metres and reigning Olympic champion, has spoilt the broth by pulling out of the contest, paving way for junior sensation Kipyegon Bett to call the shoot while in women, Olympic bronze winner Margaret Wambui Nyairera will dust opposition from upcoming Eglay Nalyanya and veteran Silvia Chebe.

Another mouth-watering episode will be witnessed in the women 5,000metres where Olympic silver medalist Helen Obiri will clash with in-shape Lilian Kasait for top honours. Rodgers Kwemoi and upcoming Peter Kirui will star in the men edition if World Cross Country and World Half marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor opt for 10,000metres.

Olympics 3,000metres Steeplechase champion Consenslus Kipruto will have to prove his victory in the water and barrier event was not by fluke beating his opponents that include 4-time World Champion Ezekiel Kemboi among others.

Apart from the team to be selected on Saturday, Athletics Kenya has already named the Marathon team of Geoffrey Kirui, Daniel Wanjiru, Gideon Kipketer, Paul Lunyangata (Reserve) and Ednah Kiplagat, Helah Kiprop, Philomena Cheyech and Purity Rionoripo (reserve) as well as 20Km walk Africa champions Samuel Gathimba and Grace Wanjiru found the slots in the line-up.

Kenya is expected to pick a medal-winning team after sterling performance in 2015 when the country finishing on top of the World with a haul 16 medals- 7 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze.

Athletics Kenya

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As the countdown to the July World Under18 Championships gathers momentum, Kenya is leaving nothing to chance to ensure the national team selected after a two-day national trial is prepared for the July 12th -16th global challenge.

The squad of track and field youths has moved into the residential training and will stay at Milele Hotel in Nairobi for the fine-tuning under a team of coaches headed by Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association’s treasurer Francis Gikonyo.

During the selection at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, Athletics Kenya picked a 59-member team comprising of boys and girls aged 16 and 17 years that will represent the country in the last International Association of Athletics Federation World Under18 Championship to be held at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani next month.

“All the selected athletes were to report for the national training camp from Sunday 18th of this month to prepare for the task ahead. We are hosting the whole world in Kenya and we have to win as many medal as possible since we shall be competing at home,” said Athletics Kenya Youth Committee chairman Barnabas Korir.

More than 400 boys and girls born between 200 and 2001 and those below 20 years took part in the painstaking selection that was to see Kenya send those aged 18 and 19 years for Africa Junior Championships to be held in Algeria.

Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen(Rtd) Jackson Tuwei congratulated those selected and expressed his confidence in the team and invited fans to turn up in large numbers during the WorldU18 championships that will take place at Kasarani to boast the morale of team.

“Kenya has picked the best in this category. We are sure of winning medals not only on the track but also in the field. Our selectors have settled on the greatest that will be flying our national flag even after this World Championships,” said the President, who is also the chairman of the Nairobi WU18 Local Organizing Committee after the selections.

While in Nairobi, the team will undergo both mental and physical training with most of the endurance run done at the high altitude of Ngong Hills, aerobic run at Karura forest and speed training at Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums.

Kenya has been dominating in the championships since its inception in Poland in 1999 where the country emerged the overall winners.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

Kenya is selecting the International Association of Athletics Federations World Under18 Team on Tuesday and Wednesday during the National Trial at Nyayo National Stadium.

The trial, meant for Youth aged 16 and 17 years, will see the first two finishers acquire the privilege of flying the National Flag during the WU18 championships that are due to run from July 12th to July 16^th at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani in Nairobi.

Already, both the high schools and the primary schools concluded their national championships last weekend in Mombasa and at Moi High School Kabarak in Nakuru where the bulk of those to be tried were selected.

Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, who is also the Chairman of the Nairobi WU18 Local Organizing Committee, said the two-day trial will enable the country select the best for the World Championships.

“We are choosing our team after this trial. I believe the coaches will bring strong athletes for they will have a task of representing the country at home. All the eyes of Kenyans will be on them”, said the President while inviting Kenyans to the trials and the Nairobi WU18 Championships.

Last month, Athletics Kenya organized a pre-trial for the Youth in Eldoret for two days and those who topped the chart will be among those picked for the trial expected to be a Baptism of fire as the country abounds with youthful talents.

The team that will be selected will go into residential training at Kasarani under a pool of coaches for fine-tuning before the World Championship kicks off officially at the same venue.

Kenya is hosting the 7th biggest sporting event to be held in Africa after Rugby World Cup in South Africa (2005), Cricket World Cup in (2003), World Youth Championship in Morocco (2005), World Cross Country (2007), 2010 Fifa World Cup that took place in South Africa and World Cross-country championships, Kampala, Uganda (2017).

Athletics Kenya

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The three-day National Athletics Championships ended at the Nyayo National Stadium on a flavouring taste with sprinters producing glittering performance in the finals.

The national showbiz witnessed spirited challenge mounted by newly minted talents from institutions despite of the absence of most of the elite currently sharpening their skills in the rewarding Diamond League Series in Europe.

Mark Otieno, running for Eastern Region, and Maximila Imali of National Police Service, exhibited their sprinting aptitude in 100metres men dash and in women 400metres by setting new national records.

Otieno, 24, had a head-start in the final when he registered a blistering 10:14 seconds not only to out-sprint title favourite Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya Prisons Service but lowered Mike Mokambas 2015 national record that stood at 10:23.

On her part, Imali set the stadium aflame with unpredicted 51.18, shattering Ruth Waithera’s 33-years old national record that was set in Lose Angels in 1984.

Both athletes attained the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships standards and will be legible to compete in London this coming August.

The two national records performance marked the climax of the three-day championship that brought together the 16 Athletics Kenya affiliates where Kenya Defence Forces emerged the overall winners.

In other highlights, a school boy dazzled the crowd when he finished second in 1,500metres ahead of pre-final bet Asbel Kiprop.

Justus Soget, a form 2 student at Nakuru’s Kirobon High School and a son of former high school steeplechase champion Christopher Soget, narrowly missed the top podium place after timing 3:41.5 against the winner Timothy Cheruiyots 3:41.0.

Asbel, three-time World Champion in the event, finished 3rd in 3:42.6 while Beatrice Chepkoech and Judy Kiyeng completed first and second in the women class in 4:03.2 and 4:04.4 respectively.

In the longer 10,000 and 5,000 metres, Africa Queen Alice Aprot upcoming Patrick Kimeli dictated the victories in the 25-lap event, clocking 31:50.5 and 27:53.3 while Franklin Ngelel from KDF (13:36.7) and on-form Lilian Kasait (National Police Service) won the two titles with the latter returning 15:53.4

Kenya Defence Forces won both the men and the women trophies while National Police Service and Kenya Prisons finished second and third in overall ranking.

The national championships, sponsored by Safaricom and Athletics Kenya, paved way for the national trials set for 24th June where the national team for the World championships will be selected.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

The 2017 Safaricom Athletics Kenya National Track and Field contests will take place from Thursday this week at Nyayo National Stadium with all the 16 affiliated branches fielding their finest.

The national championships come after all the federations regions concluded their selections last weekend with new upstarts propelling themselves to competitive running.

Renewed rivalry will pity athletes from the disciplined institutions as the tussle for retention of coveted trophies play out during the three-day championships sponsored by telephone service provider Safaricom and Athletics Kenya.

As it have been characteristics with the annual challenge, new champions will emerge from the production line and big names will be missing in action after transiting to the road races running after dominating local and abroad scenes.

The national championships will be another chance for coaches to test their new talents after brilliant performance during national and regional championships. We have young and energetic sprinters taking over, said a senior sprint coach from Kenya Police Service.

A blistering battle awaits the two main rivals the Kenya Defense Forces and the Kenya Police Service as each side go for every single point to amass the maximum to defend trophies decorating their selves as the regions charm each other for superiority.

The Kenya Prison Service will be boasted by the new signees with Margaret Wambui, Alice Aprot, and Wilfred Kimitei mounting formidable onslaught.

Newly discovered Ferdinand Omanyala, Dennis Otieno, Maximila Imali and Damaris Akoth will dominate the sprints while Nicholas Kiplagat, Lydia Cheruto and Gloria Kite will send shock waves in the middle distant events.

In the field, Dominic Abunda, Rose Rakamba and Boaz Monyancha will have to up their hammer and shot put throwing skills in order to attain qualifying distant for the World championships this year.

Athletics Kenya Acting Chief Executive Officer Susan Kamau said all the 16 AK branches with take part during the three days competitions that will see most of the finals held during the last day on Saturday.

Only those who have attained the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships standards will be invited for the trials for the August global event after the national.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications 

Athletics Kenya is embarking on a massive anti-doping educational campaign to cushion athletes against doping in sports.

In the latest strategies, all senior athletes must under-go the training that is being organized by the Federation in conjunction with the Ant-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

The meeting is starting on May 31st and all invited athletes will be expected at Pearl Hotel in Eldoret starting at 0900hrs without failing.

During the Conference, all athletes present will be educated on the use of the ADAMS systems to enable them provide updated records of their whereabouts as required by the World Ant-Doping Agency (WADA).

This is another measure Athletics Kenya is undertaking to meet the International Association of Athletics Federation compliancy after it was put under IAAF watch list in 2016.

The country hope to get out of the watch-list and part of the requirement to be fulfilled is to organize an anti-doping education programe on elite athletes who are likely to represent the country in the IAAF World Championship and other International Competitions.

The ADAMS systems requires all top athletes to provide an update on where they are all times to avoid cases where they can get ban for missing tests or failing unknowingly to avail themselves for the same.

It will be a mandatory for all the invited athletes to attend the Wednesday meeting in Eldoret and those who will fail risk being barred from participating in the National Trial for the World Championships this year.

This is the latest measure by the federation to curb cheating in sport after the establishment of the Kenya Doctors Network (KDN) where all elite athletes are required to get clearance from sanctioned doctors before getting medication from their preferred physicians.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

The much-touted saying of separating chuff from the wheat will be played out when Kenyans track stars compete against themselves during the illustrious Prefontain Classic in Eugene on Saturday.

As Bruce Barton asserted…  ‘Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared to believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance.

That inner desire will determine who will carry the day and pocket the 50,000 dollars when Olympic 3,000metres Steeplechase champion Consenslus Kipruto front a finer line-up in the mens 5,000metres face-off.

Nevertheless, the steeplechaser will need an extra gear when he competes against a higher caliber guided by World champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Olympics 10,000 metres silver medalist Paul Tanui who are touted for the victory in the twelve and half laps event.

Celebrated 5,000metres front-runner Caleb Ndiku and home-boy Isaiah Kiplagat Koech are also in the mixed and their combine effort to tame British assassin Mo Farah will also enhanced the Kenyans chances of sweeping the podium en-mass as the Diamond League fever scale higher.

Kamworor, the World Half-marathon and Cross Country champion, returns to Pre classic with his Personal Best of 12:59.98 achieved last year and brings a wealth of experience to the race as he competes for the fourth time this year.

Last weekend, Kamworor was among the top stars who competed in the last Athletics Kenya Premier Track and Field Meeting in Eldoret, preferring to taste his speed in the shorter 1,500metres where he finished a close second in 3:43.4 against the winners 3:43.2

For Kipruto, competing in the 5,000metres will not be new. He won his first Pre Classic way back in 2013 as a junior, setting a meeting record of 8:03.59 before concentrating in his steeplechase specialty.

The Kenyan competing team takes their experience to the race with World Championship silver medalist Ndiku having won the Pre classic in 2014 while Koech boast of being the second fastest in the line-up with his 12:48.64.

Apart from Farah who has been the Kenyan main rival in 5,000metres, the team should monitor every move by upcoming Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei and 2011 10,000metres World Champion Ibrahim Jeilan and other novices who may cause upsets during Pre classic, the third stop after Doha and Shanghai in Qatar and China.

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The World Under18 preparations move a step closer with Athletics Kenya staging a two-day pre-trial in Eldoret this week.

The youth, born between 2000 and 2001, will have to justify their inclusion in the national team by not only winning in their respective events but also attain the International Association of Athletics Federations standards.

The Athletics Kenya Youth sub-committee, chaired by Nairobi AK branch chairman Barnabas Korir, has been organizing satellite training camps across the country in preparation for the IAAF World U18 that will be held in Nairobi from July 12th to 16th.

The Eldoret mini-trial, to be held at Kipchoge Stadium on Thursday and Friday, will assemble the youth from schools who have been training in Machakos in Southern, Elgeyo Marakwet in the North Rift, Keringet in South Rift and Nandi in the Central Rift.

Barnabas Kitilit, the Youth sub-committee secretary disclosed that the pre-trial, coming ahead of the schools championships, will give opportunities for the U18 to qualify for the trial.

“The trials will strictly be pegged on the performance in the pre-trial and it is important that all the prospecting youth attend the event. It is going to be a prelude to the final selection,” said Mr Kitilit, also the Principal of Kirobon High School in Nakuru.

He said all the regions are expected to bring their teams for event adding that the first eight in every event will qualify for the nationals scheduled to take part on 13th and 14th of June in Nairobi.

The two days pre-trial is organized by the Athletics Kenya Youth Committee in conjunction with Central Rift Athletics Kenya sub-branch.

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The cut-down to International Association of Athletics Federation World Championships getting to the top gear, Athletics Kenya has finally unveiled the marathon team for the biannual event that will start on 4th of August.

The team, selected after wide consultation, prides in the inclusion of two-time World Champion Ednah Kiplagat and Boston and London champions Geoffrey Kirui and Daniel Wanjiru.

Also making the new team is Mumbai marathon champion Gideon Kipketer while Paris marathon champion Paul Lunyangata has been included as a reserve during the unveiling ceremony at Riadha House this week.

As it is the norm, the selectors had a herculean task in picking the best from the best following phenomenal performance by elite marathoners in big city Road Races during the last five months that saw the Kenyans not only maintaining their dominancy but setting new records.

While unveiling the team, Athletics Kenya officials said the selection was done with consideration of individual athlete performance in selected marathons and after consultations with coaches and other stakeholders.

“The performance of those selected leaves no doubt that they are the best for the World championship. They have all confirmed and we can now proceed with making arrangement for their training and other related logistics,” said Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei.

2016 Tokyo marathon champion Helah Jelagat Kiprop and Glascow Commonwealth Games Champion Flomena Cheyech Daniel complete the women marathon team while Paris Marathon winner Purity Rionoripo and Valentine Kipketer are the reserves.

A week ago, Athletics Kenya listed names of provisional team that included Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and the New Marathon record holder Mary Keitany but the duo opted out of the August challenge in order to recover.

Keitany set a new Marathon world record during Virgin Money London Marathon on April 23rd while Kipchoge chalked a historic 2:00.25 in his attempt to break the Under2hr barrier.

The selected team will go into residential training in Kaptagat from June 4th under selected marathon coaches.

Marathon Team

Men

1. Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui

2. Daniel Kinyua Wanjiru

3. Gideon Kipketer

4. Paul Lunyangata (Reserve)

Women

1. Ednah Ngeringwony Kiplagat

2. Helah Kiprop

3. Flomena Cheyech Daniel

4. Purity Rionoripo (Reserve)

5. Valentine Kipketer (Reserve)

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World Cross Country Champion Geoffrey Kamworor and new kid on the block Ferdinand Omanyala displayed distinctive class with thrilling running skills before Athletics Kenya Premier sequence folded up in Eldoret over the weekend.

The final premier track and field show lived to its billing with two stadium records and several new champions born ahead of the national championship that will act as the mini-world championship in Nairobi in July.

Though he lost the 1,500metres title to little known James Tenai, Kamworor, also the World half-marathon champion, did not disappoint his fans as he honoured the finals of the shorter race which he lost by a whisker, timing 3:43.4 against Tenai’s 3:43.2.

“It feel good running in front of my fans. I could not let them down after cheering me ecstatically during the semi final yesterday (Friday). I was also testing my speed on the track,” said the champion who intends to run in the 5,000metres during the nationals.

In the sprints and field, new star Ferdinand Omanyala and Dominic Abunda posted the stadium best with the former recording hand-timed9.9 and 20.2 in 100metres and 200metres dashes during the finals of the two events on Saturday.

Omanyala was in his own class with head starts in the semi-final where he received accolade for his sprinting power, obliterating favourites Dennis Otieno and Geoffrey Kiprotich who managed 10.3 and 20.4 respectively.

In 10,000metres, upcoming Joram Lumbasi and Roselinda Jepketer, both running as individuals, emerged the best after winning their respective races in 29:16.7 and 33:30.4 apart.

Bernard Kimeli of Kenya Wildlife Service and Daniel Kipchumba from Complete Sport trailed Lumbasi in 29:18.1 and 29:29.5 while Jepketer’s followers were Mary Munanu (33:42.5) and Gladys Songol (35:48.3).

In the absence of the big boys and women in the middle distant classes, new entrants took advantage to showcase their talents with James Tenai and Gloria Kite winning 1,500metres apart in 3:43.2 and 4:14.8.

Nicholas Kiplagat and Lydia Cheruto were the winners of the 800metres titles where the former managed 1:46.5 with the latter timing 2:04.5 during the competitions graced by Athletics Kenya President Lt General Rtd Jack Tuwei and his Deputy Paul Mutwii.

In the field, Dominic Abunda of KDF achieved his best in Hammer throw after tossing 61.11 metres against closer rival Boaz Manyancha, also representing KDF, who hurled the metal a distant of 49.86metres.

The conclusion of the series paves way for more intensive training as the athletes polish their skills ahead of the national championships that is scheduled to take place on June 8th and 9th in Nairobi.

Athletics Kenya

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A star-laden line-up will ignite Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret this weekend as a galaxy of top athletes compete in the last Athletics Kenya showbiz on Friday and Saturday.

The series-stopper, taking place at Kenya’s athletics nerve centre, has attracted the high and the mighty in the Track and Field before the action commence from the grass root later in the month.

With more than a dozen being engaged in the dollar-minting Diamond League abroad, upsets and unpredictable results will characterize the two-day competitions that ends the track build-up series which started in Bondo at the beginning of April.

“This is our final Meeting and we are expecting a huge turn-out considering the fact that Eldoret hosts the highest number of our athletes. This will be the climax of the build-up towards the national championships,” said Athletics Kenya head of competition Paul Mutwii, also the senior vice President.

Being the World Championship year, both seasoned and aspiring track athletes are leaving nothing to chance in their final preparations ahead of the national trials that will see the finest selected to represent the country during the August global tournament in London.

Since the six-tier series begun, the big boys have been missing in action but the Eldoret congress promises to parade a quality field considering the contest is taking place on a tartan track after the facility was upgraded to international class.

“Apart from expecting top runners in the mix, we are also going to witness faster times in local competitions. Our athletes will no longer be depending solely on competing in Europe to attain qualifying standards,” added Benjamin Limo, the 2005 Helsinki 5,000m World Champion.

Although the disciplined forces have already done their national selections, athletes from the other Athletics Kenya affiliates will use competitions before taking part in the County and Regional Championships.

Athletics Kenya has sponsored and organized four similar Meetings that have been held in Bondo in Nyanza North, Mumias in Western Region, Thika for Central and Nyahururu in the South Rift.

Athletics Kenya

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Kenyan track athletes begin their season of harvesting and bettering their personal record as they chase overall crowns in the money-rich International Association of Athletics Federations Diamond Leagues that kick off this Friday in Qatar.

Olympic and World Champions will go hammer-and-Tong as they scramble for the Us$145,000 (Sh14.5 million) being dangled in each of the 14 Diamond League series that runs from May 5th to September 1st  this year.

 Steeplechase sensation Conseslus Kipruto, the winner of the series last year after bagging the Olympic title in Rio in the specialty, will unwrap the season in Doha where javelin maestro Julius Yego, the World champion over the event, will take on Olympic champion Thomas Rohler in the throw.

A dozen other Kenyans will be taking to the track eyeing the top prize of US dollars 50,000 and as they tune themselves for the August 4th to 13th IAAF World Championships in London.

They include 5,000 metres trio of former Commonwealth bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa, World Silver medalist Caleb Mwangangi and Edwin Soi.

 1,500metres silver taker Elijah Manangoi will lead training mate Timothy Cheruiyot in a star-laded line-up that will also feature upcoming Vincent Kibet, previous African Youth champ Robert Biwott as well as Bethwel Birgen.

 The Doha Meeting will pave way for Shanghai on May 13th before the Prefontaine classic in Eugene, United States of America, where 1,500 Olympic Champion Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon will command a strong sub-four minutes class for the showstopper.

She will be in the warm company of 5,000metres Olympic silver medalist Helen Obiri, who previously held the Kenyan record as well as the US all-comers mark. They will be facing a formidable challenge from Laura Muir, the fastest woman with 3:56.05 tugged in her belt.

 The IAAF Diamond League rewards the top 8 in every Meeting for the chosen event with the winner pocketing US$50,000 (Sh5.050,000). The runners up take home US$20,000 while position 3 goes with US$10,000.

 IAAF Diamond League Calendar (2017);

5th May  Doha, Qatar

13th May  Shanghai, China

27th May  Eugene, USA

8th June  Rome, Italy

15th June – Oslo, Norway

18th June Stockholm, Sweden

1st July Paris, France

6th July Lausanne, Switzerland

9th July London, Great Britain

16th July Rabat, Morocco

21st July Monaco, France

20th August Birmingham, Great Britain

24th August Zurich, Switzerland

1st September Brussels, Belgium

Athletics Kenya

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The 4th Athletics Kenya Track and Field competitions earlier slated for Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium have been moved to Nyahururu in Laikipia County.

The competitions also resumes after Athletics Kenya grass root elections were called off at the eleventh hour following a court order barring the exercise.

Last week, the federation had postponed the two weekend Meetings in Nakuru and Kisii as they had coincided with County and Regional elections that had kicked off on April 27 this year.

Athletics Kenya South Rift branch Chairman John Wachira said the reason for moving the competitions from Nakuru to Nyahururu was due to the poor state of Afraha Stadium and the alternative site at Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST).

The Nakuru Track and Field Meeting that is taking place on Friday and Saturday has been taken to Nyahururu Stadium. The state of Afraha Stadium is not the best considering the current rain being experienced in the country. Nyahururu track is better,” said Wachira about the change.

The AK boss also confirmed the participation of all the training camps in the region including Kericho, Keringet, Nyahururu, and Run2gether in Naivasha as well as athletes from other Athletics Kenya affiliates.

The Nyahururu competitions will be the 4th AK Track and Field Meeting after Bondo, Mumias and Thika last weekend.

Both the upcoming and experienced runners are using these Meetings as warm-up to selections to major championship which include the IAAF World Under18 in Nairobi in July and the World Athletics Championships in London in August.

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Athletics Kenya has been closely monitoring athletes competitions, performance and behavior.

In the last less than one month we got sad news surrounding Olympic Women Marathon champion, Jemimah Sumgong who failed a doping test recently.

We at Athletics Kenya want to put it on record that we condemn cheating in sport in general, whether by faking age of athletes, bribing officials or partaking of performance-enhancing substances in the strongest terms possible.

We wish to remind our athletes that they will be held responsible for any doping offences and, in consultation with relevant authorities, we will not hesitate to evoke the laws of the land to deal with these offences. Doping is a criminal offence in Kenya now and those involved in this heinous act, which is threatening the lives of our athletes, will face the full force of law.

We also wish to send a very strong message to athletes representatives, doctors, coaches and all athletes support personnel that those found culpable or proved to be encouraging our athletes in this line of sporting subterfuge will be charged as prescribed by the law of the land.

In the recent past, Athletics Kenya set up Kenya Doctors Network where athletes are supposed to visit identified Doctor only incase of any medical conditions. This procedure is in force and would like to remind all the athletes not to visit any other Doctor apart from those listed in the programme.

It is also important to remind all athletes intending to travel abroad for any competition to seek clearance from Athletics Kenya.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Commumications

 An elite class parade at Thika Stadium for the third Athletics Kenya Track and Field Meeting that will take place on Friday and Saturday as the preparations for the 2017 IAAF Diamond League series intensify.

Olympic 400metres silver medalist Boniface Mucheru Tumuti from Kenya Defence Forces and Margaret Wambui Nyairera, the Olympic 800metres bronze winner, forms the bulk of high ranking runners expected for the two days’ competitions.

More top athletes will also be drawn from the elite squads of Athletics Kenya Institutional affiliates including Kenya Police Service, Kenya Prisons and the KDF who prides in having Kenyan world beaters.

We will be testing our athletes  shape in Thika as we step up training for our inter-regions that will precede our national championships. There is more to be done especially in the sprints,  said a senior coach from Prisons Service, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Apart from gauging their preparedness ahead of the bank-swelling Diamond League that will start on May 5th in Doha, Qatar, local sprinters will be chasing better times to enable them qualify for the IAAF World Championships in London this year.

The Thika assembly is the third gathering in this year Athletics Kenya Calendar of events and is coming after Bondo in Nyanza North and Mumias in Western where competitions were held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University and at Mumias Sports Complex.

Nakuru, Kisii and Eldoret will host the next three series on 5th and 6th, 13th and 14th, and 19th and 20th of May while Shangai, Eugene and Rome will stage the Diamond League legs on 13th and 27th of May and 8th of June.

THANK YOU 

Athletics Kenya

Media & Commumications

The National Team to the 3rd International Association of Athletics Federations World Relay leaves for Bahamas this week ready for the worldwide contest.

The championships, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, will be an acid test to the local sprinters as they parade alongside powerhouses like United States of America and the Jamaicans who have dominated the events.

The team that is composed of 30 athletes and 8 officials has been on the final preparations in Nairobi and is expected to jet out of the country on Wednesday for Nassau, Bahamas in North America.

“We have harmonized our training during the period we have been together in the camp. We are ready for the World Championships and asking all our supporters to pray for us,” said Alfas Kishoyian, who will be anchoring the mixed relay team in the challenge.

During the selection held at Kasarani on 1st of this month, World Youth 800metres Champion Kipyegon Bett, Diamond League winner Ferguson Rotich, Olympian Timothy Kitum, Alfred Kipketer and Cornelius Tuwei filled the 4x800m men team while Silvia Chesebe, Emily Cherotich, Josephine Chelagat, Eglay Nalianya and Mary Kuria fitted in the women team.

Collins Omae, Peter Mwai, Ferdinand Omanyala, Mike Mokamba and Mark Otieno on one hand and Mary Tanui, Maximilla Emali, Peris Chege, Damaris Akoth and Patricia Isichi will represent the country in the men and women 4x200metres.

Although no men team qualified in the 4x400m duel, the women will be represented by Grace Kidake, Jacinta Shikanda, Everline Makena, Veronica Mutua and Catherine Nandi while Alfas Kishoyian, Geoffrey Kiprotich, Boniface Mweresa, Betty Chelagat and Daisy Komen will hunt for medals in the Mix Relay.

Athletics Kenya

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While the Christian the Family will be marking Easter in Churches and social places, the athletic Fraternity will converge at the Mumias Sports Complex for the 2nd Athletics Kenya Track and Field contention on Friday and Saturday.

Athletics Kenya Western Region Chairman Francis Afundi is putting the final touches on the ground to ensure the athletes will have quality competitions with sound organization.

“We have spent the entire week working on the track. I am assuring the participants that they will have good competition in Mumias this Easter,” said Afundi at the Venue during the week.

The competitions, the precursor to the World Athletics Championships in London during the month of August, are annually used by elite athletes in their preparations ahead of regional and national selections.

Mumias Meet will pull participation from the rich high altitude regions of Mt Elgon, Kapsabet, Nandi Hills and Kaptagat as well as Kericho and Keringet in the South Rift.

“The fans here are waiting to witness a rare spectacle when their sons and daughters from Western meet their match from other regions. The sprinters will have great opportunities to attain their Personal Best,” added the official extending invitation to the neighbouring nation of Uganda whose sprinters have not been missing the show.

Athletics Kenya has organized six Weekend Meetings across the country. Mumias is the second show-stopper after Bondo in Nyanza North last weekend.

Central Athletics Kenya Region will organize the 3rd congregate on April 28th and 29th at Thika Stadium while Afraha Stadium in Nakuru will host the 4th challenge on May 5th and 6th.

The last two build-ups will be held in Kisii in Nyanza South and Eldoret in the Central Rift on May 12th and 13th and 19th and 20^th respectively.

Athletics Kenya 

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Preparations for the first Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend Meeting have been finalized by Nyanza North Region.

The opener, programmed to take place on Friday and Saturday this week, will be held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo this Friday and Saturday.

The event will jump-start the track and field season that will reach the apex on July 21st and 22nd where the trials for the World Athletics Championships in London will be held.

Athletics Kenya will run six Track and Field Weekend Meetings across the country where both the elite and upcoming runners will be chasing qualifications mark as well as gauging their speed in their individual specialties.

Bondo University will host the opener and will be organized by Nyanza North Athletics Kenya sub-branch and will be followed closely by Mumias Complex in Western Region on April 14th and 15th

We are starting our Track and Field competitions this week in Bondo and we are urging the athletes to use these Meetings to prepare for the World Championships as we have been doing before. We are asking all the senior athletes hoping to represent the country to honour the build-up series,” appealed Paul Mutwii, AK Senior Vice President and Director of Competitions.

Thika Municipal Stadium in Central Region will organize the 3^rd Meeting on April 28th and 29th while Afraha Stadium in Nakuru in the South Rift will play host to the 4th leg on May 5th and 6th.

The series will end with the 6th assemblage in Eldoret on May 19th and 20th at Kipchoge Stadium after Gusii Stadium on May 12th and 13^th where the 5th round will take place.

Prodigies Kipyegon Bett and Ferdinand Omanyala exhibited their athletic abilities with fascinating show during Athletics Kenya Relay National Trials at The Safaricom Stadium on Saturday as the Federation picked a 30-member squad for the World Championship.

Bett, 19, the reigning International Association of Athletics Federation Under20 Champion, strode to victory in the 800metres after out-sprinting last year’s 800metres Diamond League champion Ferguson Rotich at the finish line, clocking season’s best of 1:44.7.

This win allowed him the bragging rights to anchor the 4x800metres Relay team that will go into residential training from Wednesday in preparation for the 3rd IAAF World Relays Championships due to be in Nassau, Bahamas on April 22nd and 23rd.

In the short Relays, on-form Ferdinand Omanyala sprinted to double victory by winning both 100m and 200m to team up with Rugby player-turn Sprinter Collins Omae, Peter Mwai, Mark Otieno and Mike Mokamba in 4x200metres Relay team.

In women replica, Kenya Prison’s seasonal Silvia Chesebe leads a poised battalion of Elglay Nalianya, Emily Cherotich, Josephine Chelagat and Mary Kuria in the chase for glory in the Caribbean capital.

Jacinta Shinda of Kenya Police Service would be navigating the 4×400 team of Grace Kidake, Catherine Nandi, Evelyn Makena and Veronica Mutua..

In the mixed relay, Africa silver medalist Boniface Mweresa is combining with national champion Alfas Kishoyian, Geoffrey Kiprotich, Daisy Komen and Betty Chelagat.

The team, which will be managed by former hurdler Billy Kosgei assisted by Stephen Mwaniki, will trained in Nairobi under George Macharia and former sprinter Elkana Nyang’au and chaperoned by Joyce Odhiambo, another retired sprinter.

Relay Team:

4x800m (Men)

Kipyegon Bett

Ferguson Rotich

Alfred Kipketer

Cornelius Tuwei

Timothy Kitu

4x800m (Women)

Silvia Chesebe

Emily Cherotich

Mary Kuria

Eglay Nalianya

Josephine Chelagat.

4x400m (Women)

Jacinta Shikanda

Grace Kidake

Everline Makena

Catherine Nandi

Veronica Mutua

4x200m (Men)

Ferdinand Omanya

Collins Omae

Peter Mwai

Mark Otieno

Mike Mokamba

4x200m (Women)

Damaris Akoth

Peris Chege

Mary Tanui

Maximila Emali

Patricia Isichi

Mixed Relay

Boniface Mweresa

Alfas Kishoyian

Geoffrey Kiprotich

Daisy Komen

Betty Chelagat.

Officials:

Billy Kosgei (T/Manager)

Stephen Mwaniki (Ass T/Manager

George Machariah (Headcoach)

Elkana Nyang’au (Ass Headcoach)

Joyce Odhiambo (Chaperon).

Athletics action return to Safaricom Stadium this Saturday where a mouth-watering rivalry awaits fans as jostling for tickets to the International Association of Athletics Federation World Relays Championships in Bahamas will be played out.

The Arena, which has remained dormant after the Olympics trials were moved to Eldoret last year, will once again come to life during the invite-only trial set to kick off at 08.30hrs with athletes bein briefed.

Already, the federation has released a list of contesting teams selected during the 5 Relay series held at the Nairobi West Prisons Grounds with unbeaten Mark Otieno and Damaris Akoth anchoring the short Relays.

“The trials are not going to be open. We said from the beginning that we shall select teams from participating individuals and we shall stick to that on Saturday,” affirmed Senior Vice President Paul Mutwii, who is in charge of Technical and Competitions.

Although institutions and the regions will not be fielding teams, there will be stiff contention with perennial antagonists compete on different lanes with the objective of getting selected for the IAAF World Relays programmed for Nassau, Bahamas on 22nd and 23rd April.

Apart from Mark Otieno and Damaris Akoth who dominated in the build-up, Grace Kidake, Mary Tanui, Patricia Isisi, Rose Watakwa and Jacinta Shikanda will steer the women teams while Mike Mokamba, Peter Mwai, Collins Omae and Ferdinand Omanyala will marshal the men’s team.

Before the Relays starts, individuals will warm-up in their specialties where women will open the arena with 100m dash at exactly 10:00hrs followed by men.

PROGRAME OF EVENTS

8:30HRS ATHLETES BREEFING

9:00HRS OFFICIALS BRIEFING MEETING

10:00 HRS 100M WOMEN

100M MEN

10:20 HRS 800M WOMEN

800M MEN

10:50 HRS 200M WOMEN

200M MEN

11:45 HRS 4X100M WOMEN

4X400M WOMEN

4X200M MEN

4X400M MEN

4X100M MEN

4X200M WOMEN

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RELAY TEAM

The National Cross Country team actualized their mission in Kampala with superb display to reward thousands of fans who flocked the venue at Kololo Independence Grounds to accord them moral support.

World Half Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kamworor re-enacted the scripts initiated by cross country prodigies John Ngugi, William Segei and Paul Tergat by clinching his second victory in arrow in the senior men as senior women swept the board in an extraordinary 1-2-3-4-5-6 during the championship on Sunday.

Kamworor, an implant of Lelboinet High School in Keiyo South, used a well-rehearsed tactics to secure the victory as his team mate and national champion Leonard Barsoton finished second for silver.

But the spellbinding was enacted in the senior women where national champion Irene Cheptai choreographed her team to a historic victory in the 10 Kilometres, filling the first six positions with Africa Champion Alice Aprot and Lilian Kasait taking individual silver and bronze medals.

The glittering performance brought Kenyans fans on their feet as the experienced runners atoned for the junior classes where Ethiopians and host Uganda denied our under20 teams individual medals except for Richard Kimunyan who won a bronze in junior men 8Km.

In the newly introduced Medley Relay, three-time 1,500metres World Champion Asbel Kiprop and Olympian Beatrice Chepkoech anchored the team that included Winfred Nzinza and Bernard Korir to glory, clinching the inaugural gold medal in accumulative time of 22:22 against Ethiopia’s 22:30.

The Kampala outing was unique in that Kenyans athletics fans had the opportunity of trooping to the venue in their thousands using hired buses and private means.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

After pitching camp at the cold high altitude region of Mount Kenya forest, the national cross country team left for Kampala on Friday afternoon beaming with confidence of winning medals in the Ugandan capital.

The team, comprising of 30 athletes and 8 officials, left on Friday at 15.30hrs after a luncheon hosted by the national federation at Weston Hotel in Nairobi after successful preparations at St Marks Teachers Training College in Kigari, Embu.

And for the first time, the team will be enjoying the moral support of their fans after Athletics Kenya arranged transport for the cheerers who begun their journey to Uganda on road at the same team using hired buses.

Radiating ahead of the championship that will be held on Sunday at kololo Independent grounds, the squad boasts of wealth of experience in Geoffrey Kamworor and Faith Chepng’etich who have starred in similar championships before.

“We are all set for the championship in Kampala. There is nothing new in cross-country as we have been giving our best. There will be no change this year. We shall give our best,” said Chepng’etich, also the 1,500m Olympic champion ahead of their fine-tuning at Kigari.

Apart from Kamworor and Chepng’etich, the team will also draw inspiration from three-time 1,500metres World Champion Asbel Kiprop, the 2007 World junior champion, and Africa queen Alice Aprot who will all go flat-out for glory.

National champions Leonard Barsoton and Irene Cheptai will also be eyeing a piece of the cherry and it will be an-all Kenyan affair if the team employs teamwork to tame perennial opponent the Ethiopians and fellow countrymen who will be flying their adopted country’s flags.

This is the fifth time the World Cross-country is going to be held in Africa after Rabat (Morocco) pioneered in 1975. Stellenbosch in South Africa hosted the edition in 1996 before Marrakech (Morocco) in 1998 and Mombasa (Kenya) in 2007.

And for the first time, the World cross-country championship will feature a medley Relays, a consortium of two men and two women, who will each cover 2Km on of the cross country course in the relay format.

Athletics Kenya joins hands with the rest of the country in wishing the team the very best as they put all their energy in championships to ensuring the country’s national anthem is played in the neighbouring capital.

The on-going Athletics Kenya Relays circuits move to a momentous phase on Saturday with the last open individual competitions in the sprints events.

The contests, confined at the Nairobi West Prisons soft track, we provide the last forum for the sprinters to engage in their solo specialty from 100metres to 800metres before the Relay Teams coalesce for the take-over segments.

During the last two versions, individuals mounted inter-personal onslaught against each other to gauge their preparedness with on-form Mark Otieno and new catch Damaris Akoth giving individual accounts of themselves in the short distances.

Unexpected results will be in order when fresh entrants test their forms with coaches from the institutional affiliates parading their new signees before the teams start exchanging batons during the next legs.

The Kenya Police Service, the Kenya Defense Forces, Kenya Prisons Service and the surrounding regions have been availing their prized assassins with rewarding results.

Jacinta Shikanda of Kenya Police, Silvia Chesebe (Kenya Prisons), Grace Kidake of Postal Cooperation and the trio of Boniface Mweresa (KDF), Collins Omae and Mark Otieno coloured the first leg while World Silver medalist Elijah Manangoi, Mike Mokamba and Lydia Cheruto were the toast of the last weekend’s assembly.

Athletics Kenya Senior Vice President Paul Mutwii, who is in charge of Competition, has already expressed his impression on the turn-out which is expected to appreciate with each Meeting.

Africa silver medalist Maureen Jelagat, National Champion Alfas Kishoyan and Africa champion Boniface Mucheru will be the people to beat on Saturday as the cut-down to the IAAF World Relays Championships move to the homestretch.

Athletics Kenya

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The Relay series continue this Saturday with the second of the five-tier leg being carried out at the Nairobi West Prisons Grounds.

More elite sprint runners are expected in the half-day competitions as the graving for Standard qualifying times pre-occupy their training ahead of the World Championships.

As it happened last weekend during the opener, the sprinters will continue warming-up in their specialties during the first three Meetings before forming their respective Relay Teams.

Newcomers will be testing their new-found sprinting abilities with Ferdinand Omanyala, Emmanuel Lentukunye, Rose Watakwa and Patricia Isisi billed to better their ratings.

Apart from those who participated last weekend, a better transmission will come from big timers in Maureen Jelagat, Mary Tanui, Maureen Thomas and Eglay Nalianya who joins Silvia Chesebe and Grace Kidake in the women entries.

In men, Mark Otieno and Peter Mwai will have worthy challengers in Gilbert Otieno and Mike Mokamba while Boniface Mweresa, the All Africa Games second finisher, will face it off with Stanley Kieti and Alphas Kishoyan who were missing in action last Saturday.

The Relays build-ups, spread over one month, will conclude with national trial on April 1st where Team Kenya will be selected to represent the Country in the IAAF World Relays Championships that will be held in Nassau, Bahamas on April 22nd and 23rd this year.

The opening three Meetings are open to individuals running in 100m, 200m, 400m and 800metres while the last two legs will be dedicated to Team Relays.

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The 2017 Athletics Kenya Relay Series started on a higher scale with Sprinters showcasing their capacity during the first Meeting in Nairobi over the weekend.

All Africa Games 400metres Silver medalist Boniface Mweresa excelled in his specialty as sprinting queen Grace Kidake came out of hibernation to dominate the 200metres during the opener held at Nairobi West Prisons Playing Fields on Saturday.

Mweresa, running for the Kenya Defense Forces, won the lap race in 46.5 followed by Rugby player-turn sprinter Collins Omae in 47.0 and third-placed Vincent Kosgei who managed 48.0 in the well-attended kick off.

In the shorter sprints, Mark Otieno dictated the wins in 100m and 200m after chalking 10.3 and 21.1 seconds and declared his intend to rumble in the season after polishing on his previous techniques.

“I made several mistakes last season in my sprinting and I have been working on the techniques with my coach and we look forward to better results this year,” said Otieno whose performance during the Africa Senior Championships in Durban, South Africa, was not impressive last June.

In 100m, Ferdinand Omanyala and Emmanuel Lentukunye trailed Otieno in second and third places while Peter Mwai finished runners up in 200m.

For Kidake, it was a new beginning after maternal leave. She clocked 15.6 in 200m ahead of Patricia Isisi and Mary Chepkoech who returned second and third in 26.0 and 26.3 respectively.

In 100metres, Damaris Akoth outclassed Rose Watakwa and Verah Lore after sprinting in 12.2. Her challengers were timed 12.5 and 12.8 while in 400metres; Jacinta Shikanda annihilated Silvia Chesebe and Everline Makena, timing 55.2 for the victory.

Chesebe and Makena stopped the timers in 55.5 and 57.4 during championships keenly monitored by Athletics Kenya Senior Vice President Paul Mutwii and other top officials.

The 5-tier series are to provide build-up to Relays Teams prospects ahead of the trials on April 1st where the national team will be picked for the IAAF World Relays scheduled for Nassau, Bahamas, on 22nd and 23rd of April 2017.

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The National Team to the 42nd International Association of Athletics Federation World Cross Country Championships report for their final training in Kigari this Wednesday ahead of the March 26th engagement in Uganda.

The squad of 36 personnel, including team officials, will go into residential camp for less than a month at the customary cross country training base at St. Mary’s Teachers Training College Kigari in Embu.

However, the team will miss vital input of versatile Bedan Karoki Muchiri who finished second during the Saturday selections as he has opted to concentrate on the April London Marathon where he will make his debut in the 42.195Km lucrative event.

While in Kigari, located in the cool breeze of Mt Kenya, the team will undergo the final tune-up including team-running tactics under the tutorage of former elite runners Juma Ndiwa (800m) and Francis Kamau (Road Race).

“We are starting our residential training on Thursday. Most of the team members are not new to cross-country and our training will focus mainly on teamwork and tactics. The team also needs to be psyched before flying to Kampala,” said assistant coach Kamau after officials’ meeting at Riadha House on Tuesday.

Reigning World Champions Geoffrey Kamworor, Agnes Tirop and three-time 1,500metres Champion Asbel Kiprop will be the team fulcrum as they anchor the 30-member strong contingent that also include the Mixed Relays.

Kamworor will have to tread with cautiousness as national champion Leonard Barsoton is itching for glory after turning tables on him and Karoki during the selection last week that witnessed major upsets.

Vincent Rono, Regular competitor Leonard Patrick Komon, Leonard Langat will team up with Kamworor in senior men team while national champion Irene Cheptai, Olympic 1,500m Champion Faith Chepng’etich, fresh senior graduate Lilian Kasait, African queen Alice Aprot and Steeplechase World silver medalist Hyvin Kiyeng will be dependable in senior women.

In the two junior classes, experienced Richard Kimuyan and Sandra Chebet will be the spin doctors as they lead the medal hunt onslaught during the March 26 global duel scheduled for Kololo commemorative grounds in Kampala, Uganda.

For the first time, they championship will feature Mixed Relays, a consortium of male and female competitors exchanging the batons alternatively after with each covering 2Kilometres.

Kiprop, who discovered his winning ability during the 2007 World cross country championships in Mombasa, is marshalling the quartet of Margaret Nyairera, Bernard Kipkorir and Beatrice Chepkemoi in the Relays.

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All Africa Games 10,000metres silver medalist Lenard Barsoton of Kenya Police Service and fast-rising Irene Chebet Cheptai from the same team elicited excitement with unpredicted victories during Athletics Kenya Lotto National Cross Country championships in Nairobi on Saturday.

The duo, who were given little mention by fans and the local media prior to the race, electrified the boisterous Uhuru Gardens west of the capital to claim privileges that will see them anchor the national cross-country team for the 42nd IAAF World Championship slated for Kololo grounds in Kampala, Uganda next month

It was a deserved breakthrough for Barsoton, who celebrated his 22^nd birth day anniversary last October, after eclipsing cross country masters Bedan Karoki and Geoffrey Kamworor who ruled the edition last year with the latter carrying the victory.

“This is a good sign that I can win the race in Uganda. I have trained well and if we work together as a team, we will win both individual and team title in Kampala,” said the champion, a junior silver medalist with a 27:20.74 career best in 10,000metres after winning the senior men 10Km in 28:56.3

 Karoki, smarting out of a sizzling 59:10 in RAK Half Marathon a week ago, came from behind to claim the second place in 29:02.3 while Kamworor, the reigning World Champion in the event, timed 29:03.4 during the championships sponsored by Athletics Kenya and Lotto Foundation.

In women, Cheptai, who won this year’s edition of NIKE Discovery Kenya Cross Country before claiming another victory in Almond Blossom on 5^th this month, took the 10Km senior women crown after pre-race favourite Alice Aprot was slowed down by stomach problems.

Cheptai, who turned 25 on 4th this month, hit the tape in 31:47.5 ahead of World Youth Champion Lilian Kasait from South Rift and Olympic champion Faith Chepng’etich, also South Rift, who came second and third in 31:51.9 and 32:12.9.  Pre-race gamble Alice Aprot, representing Kenya Prisons, settled for the 4th position after completing the 5-2Km loops in 32:18.8. The Prison warder graduate put up a spirited fight amidst running stomach that curtailed her effort of winning.

In the under 20 years division, Richard Kimuyan and steady Sandra Chebt, representing Central Rift and Nairobi respectively regions, turned tables on their opponents to take home the trophies.

Kimuyan clocked 23:03.2 to win the men’s U20 8Km while Chebet, unbeaten in several local races, returned 19:25.1 to win the women’s U20 6Km during Championships that also featured the mixed Relays won by the Kenya Police Service.

The first 6 to cross the finish in each group were selected for the World Cross Country championships that will take place in Kampala Uganda on March 26 this year.

Leading Results:-

Senior Men

1. Lenard Barsoton 28:56.3 (Police)

2. Bedan Karoki 29:02.3 (Police)

3. Geoffrey Kamworor 29:03.4 (Police)

4. Vincent Rono 29:06.3 (Prisons)

5. Leonard Komon (Coast)

6. Leonard Lagat (South Rift)

Senior Women

1. Irene Cheptai 31:47.5 (Police)

2. Lilian Kasait 31:51.9 (South Rift)

3. Faith Chepng’etich32: 12.9 (South Rift)

4. Alice Aprot 32:18.8 (Prisons)

5. Agnes Tirop 32:47.4 (Police)

6. Hyvin Kiyeng 32:52.3 (Police)

Junior Men

1. Richard Kimuyan 23:03.2 (Central Rift)

2. Meshack Kyuguti 23:10.0 (Southern)

3. Wesley Ladema 23:13.3 (Nairobi)

4. Edwin Kiplagat 23:14.5 (South Rift)

5. Amos Kirui 23:17.1 (South Rift)

6. Ronald Kirui 23:22.0 (South Rift)

Junior women

1. Sandrafelis Chebet 19:25.1 (Nairobi)

2. Cellephine Chepteek 19:46.6 (Nairobi)

3. Sheila Chelangat 19:49.6 (South Rift)

4. Immaculate Chepkirui 19:51.8 (South Rift)

5. Joyline Cherotich 19:53.8 (South Rift)

6. Esther Muthoni 19:58.1 (Nairobi)

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It will not be where the trophy will go or how it will be won but who wins individual titles that forms the main puzzle as athletics fans await the national cross country championships at Uhuru Gardens this  Saturday.

The return of 2013 World Champion Japhet Korir and two-times junior champion Viola Kibiwott guarantee a tantalizing firework as the 12 regional branches and the 4 affiliates scramble for coveted trophies during the contest sponsored by Lotto Foundation and that will also serve as trial for the World championships.

Indoor specialist Augustine Choge of Kenya National Police Service, Emmanuel Kipsang from the Kenya Defense Forces and on-form Katuu Muia of Kenya Prisons Service are the flag bearers for the institutional affiliates after claiming bragging rights during their national championships.

Nevertheless, stiff opposing will likely tilt the equation after the regional branches brought on board experienced and formidable forces as witnessed during their selections.

The bouncing back of Japhet Korir of the South Rift to the winning pedals and the emerging of ambitious James Gitahi and John Maina who will represent Nairobi and Central regions  complicates the winning  matrix in one of the most competitive categories of the championships.

Gitahi, buoyed by his Africa victory last year, is itching to move a step better while Kipsang and Choge will want to put their vast experience to test in the wait-and-see brain game promising a mouth-wetting clash on the independent grounds course.

In women, the absence of household names in Vivian Cheruiyot and Indoor Champion Helen Obiri will not adulterate the class as it will provide a leveled playing ground for upcoming and blooming stars.

But the presence of Africa Cross country and 10,000metres queen Alice Aprot, Olympic 1,500metres and cross-country toast Faith Chepn’etich, budding Lilian Kasait and knowledgeable Viola Kibiwott will decorate the concert in the senior women cast.

Chepng’etich and Kibiwott, representing South Rift and Central Rift respectively, will be replaying their junior scripts where they won two gold medals each back-to-back and renew their podium quest in this  year’s World Championships.

The championships will see the first 6 athletes across the finish line selected to the national team that will prepare to represent the country during the IAAF World Cross Country Championships that will be  held in Kampala, Uganda, on March 26 this year.

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Upcoming Fredrick Moranga and Standard Chartered Nairobi Half Marathon Champion Betty Lempus are the winners of the

Moranga, who came to the limelight in 2015 after Winning Kisii 10 Km road race and clinching a gold medal during the Kenya Technical Training Institutes Sports Organization (KETTISO), overcame stiff challenges from a jammed field to win the inaugural race held in honour of the 2008 Olympic Champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru,.

He won in 29:14.3 after breaking away from the pack on the 7^th Kilometre mark while Safaricom Iten 10km victor Albert Kangogo finished second in 29:29.0.

“This is a good come back for me after recovery from an injury that has kept me out of competitions since 2015. I feel strong now and expect to do well this season,” said the Kisii-based runner who trains in Ngong.

Josphat Bett ascended to the podium third after clocking 29:39.5 with Joshua Kipkorir and Amos Mitei fining fourth and fifth in 29:42.4 and 29:50.6 during the race organized by Rosa Associates Limited.

In Women, Lempus easily triumphed against local girls who were favoured to win the race on home-ground advantage.

She finished in 33:56.4 while Joy Kemuma and Pauline Wangui took silver and bronze after completing in 34:08.4 and 34:17.1 in that order.

The race started on the Ol Kalou-Nyahururu highway and took the participants to the town’s Central Business District before ending at Nyahururu Stadium.

Nyahururu is another high altitude training hub in the country and has produced world-class champions like John Ngugi, Mary Wacera, Bedan Karoki, Veronica Nyaruai, the Late Joseph Kimani and the Late Samuel Wanjiru among others.

The Results of the top ten finishers:

MEN

1. Fredrick Morang’a 29:14.3

 2. Albert Kangogo 29:29.0

3.  Josephat Bett 29:39.5

4. Joshua Kipkorir 29:42.4

5.  Amos Mitei 29:50.6

6. Denis Kipkoskei 30:07.9

7. Mathew Kibet 30:10.5 8

8. Josephat Kipkemboi 30:12.3

9. Harun Ngunjiri 30:13.0

10. Stephen Kibomet 30:14.5.

WOMEN

1. Betty Lempus 33:56.4

2. Joy Kemuma 34:08.4

 3. Pauline Wangui 34:17.1

4. Ruth Chepng’etich 34:31.1

5. Miriam Wangari 34:41.9

6. Penina Kandie 34:48.6

7. Mary Njau 35:05.2

8. Pauline Iapan 35:14.4.

9. Monica Kanyata 35:28.2

10.Mary Wanjohi 35:36.0

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Athletics Kenya activities will now be more enhanced after Sportswear manufacturer NIKE donated a 29-seater mini-bus to the Federation.

The Toyota Coaster was officially handed over to Athletics Kenya President Lt Gen (RTD) Jackson K. Tuwei on Friday by Nike Representative Robert Lotwis at AK headquarters in Nairobi.

The bus will help ease transportation of national teams to the training venues in preparations for major championships as well as taking and picking teams from the Airport.

“We are once again very pleased to our NIKE sponsors for broadening their support to our federation. This bus will play a crucial role in easing transportation of our athletes and officials during training camps,” said Lt Gen Tuwei after receiving the bus.

The bus project is part of the Athletics Development programs initiated by Athletics Kenya in order to meet the demands occasioned by the ever-expanding needs of local athletes.

“We have been spending a lot by hiring private buses to take our teams for training and taking and picking them from the airport. We can now channel the resources to other development projects,” said National Treasurer David Miano.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya President Dr Kipchoge Keino, Athletics Kenya Vice President Paul Mutwii and AK Ag CEO Susan Kamau also witnessed the handing over ceremony.

NIKE are the official Sponsors of Athletics Kenya Teams to all the championships and it is responsible of kitting the athletes.

The Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships got a major boost up after the Lotto Foundation sponsored this year’s edition to the tune of Ksh12 Million.

Handing over the sponsorship chegue to Athletics Kenya officials at the Federation’s Headquarters at Riadha House on Friday, Lotto Foundation Chairman Brian Waluchio paid tribute to sports men and  women for their explicit role in marketing the country.

“We take pride in being associated with athletics. We shall continue to fulfill our role of sponsoring sport talent development, Health and Education and ask other like-minded Companies to come on board,”  appealed the Chairman

Athletics Kenya President Major Gen. Rtd. Jackson Tuwei, who was flanked by Senior Vice President in charge of competition Paul Mutwii, Chief Executive Officer Susan Kamau and Treasurer David Miano, and Executive Member Benjamin Njoga, welcome the sponsorship and invited all Kenyans to the championships slated for February 18th at Uhuru Gardens.

“We are very grateful to Lotto Foundation for the sponsorship and promise that we will account for every cent. We are also asking our fans to come and cheer our teams not only at Uhuru Gardens but also  during the IAAF World Championships in Kampala on 26th next month,” said the President during the ceremony.

As opposed to the past when the National Cross-country championships doubled up as an IAAF Permit Meeting, this year, the event will be purely inter-regions with no individual or foreign entrants.

In addition, the selection will be based on the first six across the finish line, ruling out the extension of the wild card to reserved cases which has brought controversy in the past.

The National Cross-country championships, which will include the newly introduced Medley Mixed Relays, will be held on Saturday February 18^th and the national team selected during the competitions.

The selected team will proceed to the training camp at Kigari Teachers Training College from 22nd of February to 22nd of March and depart for Kampala on 23rd for the biannual event.

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World Half Marathon Champion Bedan Karoki Muchiri reaffirmed his competition superiority after obliterating a crowded field to defend his Discovery Kenya Cross Country title in Eldoret over the weekend.

Karoki, who is eyeing London Marathon title this year, beat more than 339 opponents in the senior men 10Kilometres while self-motivated Irene Chemtai emerged supreme in the senior women 8kilometres during the 26th edition of the race held at Eldoret Sports Club.

Famous for his front-running trademark, the Nyahururu- based runner made a decisive move after six kilometers with a fast pace that saw potential challenger Emmanuel Kipsang pull out of the contest.

“I came here to defend my title but was not sure. There were strong opponents and that is why I decided to kick early. I am happy for winning,” said Karoki, indicating he was not keen on the IAAF World  Cross Country as he was focusing on London Marathon this season.

He timed 29:54.2 where his immediate challengers Alex Kibet and Geoffrey Kipyego managed 30:05.4 and 30:06.8 for second and third places, becoming the first athlete to win the title two times in a row.

During the event co-sponsored by Nike, Athletics Kenya and Kenya Commercial Bank and graced by AK President Jackson Tuwei and the Federation’s Chief Executive Officer Susan Kamau, Mt Elgon-born Irene  Chemtai shook off stiff rivalry from experienced Lilian Rongoruk and Kenya-turned Bahrain Eunice Chebichii to bag the women crown.

She clocked 26:28.9 against a sweltering condition with Rongoruk and Chebichii crossing the finish line in 26:34.2 and 27:13.3 in the category that attracted 309 competitors.

World junior 3,000metres champion Richard Kimunyan and unfading Sanra Felis Chebet won the junior race classes easily to retain their bragging rights as the event marked its’ 26 years since inception in 1991.

The championships, organized by Rosa Associates and Athletics Kenya Central Rift, attracted 2,064 competitors from the age of 7 years, an upsurge from the previous 1,641 realized last year.

Leader Results

10Km Men

1. Bedan Karoki 29:54.2

2. Alex Kibet 30:05.4

3. Geoffrey Kipyego 30:06.8

4. Bernard Kipkemoi 30:08.5

5. Timothy Rono 30:10.4

6. Noah Kipkemboi 30:14.2

8Km Women

1. Irene Chemtai 26:28.9

2. Lilian Rongoruk 26:34.2

3. Lucy Cheruiyot 27:13.3

4. Eunice Chebichii 27:18.4

5. Gladys Chesir 27:23.6

6. Vivian Kiplagat 27:27.2

8Km Junior Men

1. Richard Kimunyan 23:53.5

2. Josphat Kipchirchir 24:01.7

3. Antony Saita 24:14.1

4. Collins Kemboi 24:29.7

5. Cleophas Kandie 24:33.4

6. Boniface Kiptarus 24:40.0

6Km Junior Women

1. Sandra Chebet 20:42.1

2. Chebet Ng’etich 21:09.9

3. Emily Chebet 21:19.1

4. Purity Ng’ang’a 21:38.4

5. Daisy Cherotich 21:41.7

6. Gloria Kite 21:43.7

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Athletics Kenya has initiated a massive registration exercise of members that will begin at the grass root level starting from January 26 this year.

The exercise targets to recruit ordinary members from the 1,450 administrative Wards in the country in the 12 regional branches in accordance with the Sports Act of 2013.

Launching the exercise at Athletics Kenya headquarters at Riadha House on Thursday, the federation President Jackson Tuwei told all the stakeholders to go for the procedure from their County, Sub-county and Wards officials.

“The exercise is open to all Kenyan citizens above 18 years who have the interests of the sport. We are dispatching the registration forms and receipts books to the Regional Chairmen and we want interested parties to register until 28^th of February this year,” said the President during a press briefing after meeting all the branch chairmen and the Members of the Executive.

According to the format and tabulation, ordinary members would be required to pay a registration fee of Ksh500 that will be distributed to the three levels of the Counties (40%), Regional/Affiliates (30%) and National office (30%) as the sport devolves to the Wards level.

“The registration is also an on-going exercise. The deadline of submission is only for the purposes of tabulation by the head office,” clarified the President.

The exercises will be done in all the 12 Regional branches and in the 4 affiliates of Universities, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Police Service and Kenya Prisons.

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Olympic champion Jemimah Sumgong and World Champion Geoffrey Kamworor are among the high profile runners set to excite residents of Uasin Gishu County during the 26th edition of Nike Discovery Kenya Cross Country in Eldoret

On Sunday morning, more than 2,000 proven and untested runners will take their supremacy rivalry to the talent-rich region, eminently Christianized ‘The City of Champions’, when the annual competitions take place at the Eldoret Sports Club.

The climax of the post-jubilee entertainment will be the mismatch between World half marathon silver medalist Bedan Karoki Muchiri, the men’s defending champion, and World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor in the 10Kilometres senior men.

“Most of our senior athletes have enlisted for the Sunday race. Karoki and Viola Jepchumba will be defending their titles while Sumgong (Jemimah) and Kwamoror will be competing alongside them,” said Coach David Leting, the event Coordinator.

As usual, the Discovery Kenya showbiz, sponsored by Rosa Associates Kenya Limited, will witness athletes across the age brackets feature in 12 different competition classes with the youngest, those under 7 years of age, running 500metres on the grassy open course.

“The competitions will begin at 0900hrs with the kids, boys and girls under 7 years. It will end with the senior women and men after the normal junior women (6Kilometres) and junior men (8Kilometres),” added Leting, also a national cross-country coach.

Over the last 25 years, the race has been the production nerve centre for cross runners in the Country and new talents are expected to emerge during the race.

Last year, Karoki had the last laugh after outclassing Clement Langat, a former World junior silver medalist, while Jepchumba, a new entrant, won the senior women title.

Mathew Kiptanui and Roselinda Jepketer claimed the junior crowns, beating 590 and 128 opponents in their respective groups.

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The selection process for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships kicks off this week with Athletics Kenya Disciplined Service affiliates picking their teams for the national contest.

The Forces, who provides the bulk of the country’s top cream, will renew their inter-units rivalry with their eyes focused on the limited tickets for the national championships slated for February 18th in   Nairobi.

The three AK branches – Kenya Defense Forces, Kenya Prison Service and the Kenya National Police Service, will hold their nationals in Thika, at Uhuru Gardens and at Ngong Race course on Friday and Saturday.

In Thika, in-form Helen Obiri, upcoming Emmanuel Kipsang and veteran Stephen Arita will be the forces to reckon with after their impressive display during the Athletics Kenya Premium series that they employed for their build-up.

Apart from the two senior cross-country events, the Forces have also lined up a 15kilometres Road race opened to all contestants that will take place concurrently at the 12th Engineers in the Pineapples’-rich  town of Kiambu County.

The World Cross Country Champion Geoffrey Kamworor is headlining the Police Service assembly at Ngong where he will be defending the title after beating team mates Augustine Choge and Asbel Kiprop last year.

In women, the absence of Olympic champion and cross-country talent-laden Vivian Cheruiyot will be felt after her choice of shifting to Road Race running.

Margaret Chelimo, Sheila Chesang and Faith Chepng’etich will be the champions to beat for the trophy in what is expected to be a fierce battle of supremacy in the Service bursting with crème de crème of the elite class.

At Uhuru Gardens where Athletics Kenya has been hosting the National Championships, new signees will dictate the winning with Africa Cross-country Champion Alice Aprot and former World junior champion Mangata Ndiwa ready to rule over the old order.

The weekend championships will be preceded by other affiliates a week later before the National Cross Country Championships on February 18^th at Ngong Race Course.

Kenya will be selecting the national teams for the International Association of Athletics Federation World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda, on March 26th.

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More than 100 elite athletes, officials and coaches met in an Eldoret  Hotel and endorsed new measures aimed at tackling issues related to doping menace in the country in compliant with International Association of Athletics Federation.

The meeting, convened by Athletics Kenya at Pearl Hotel in the outskirt of the town, adopted the medical procedures to be followed by top performing athletes in a new measure to confine doping and getting the country out of the IAAF drug Watch list.

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei said Kenya is moving with speed to provide policy guidelines and regulations to facilitate clean sport and it was necessary that all athletes in the country are submissive to World Anti-Doping Agency.

In a new move spearheaded by Athletics Kenya and International Association of Athletics Federation, all senior athletes will have to undergo a mandatory medical approval by the Kenyan Doctors Network (KDN), a set up sanctioned by the World body.

“The responsibility of the Doctors forming the Network will be to take care of Kenyan top level runners and limit bad medical practices and doping promotion behavior by some Kenyan health professionals,” explained the President.

The new measures, spelt out during a Special Congress in Monaco last month, the 2017 will be the implementation year for all member federations to carry out all the legislations curbing the doping pandemic.

The Kenyan Doctors Network, bringing together six doctors- Dr. Victor Bargoria from Eldoret, Dr. David Muhindi (Nairobi), Dr. Fredrick Kipkorir Kirui (Kericho), Dr. Muithya Ngundo (Nairobi), Dr. Wycliffe Kosgei Kipkurui and Dr. Castro Mugalla (Iten) who have been mandated to offer medical consultancy to Kenyan athletes and make monthly reports to IAAF.

The Meeting also attended and addressed by Ministry of Sports officials, brought together the elite athletes in the country including Ezekiel Kemboi, who is in the IAAF Athlete’s Commission and Milka Chemos, the AK Athlete representative.

The athletes welcome the new initiatives.

New entrants excelled in Embu as the eight Athletics Kenya Cross Country build-up series concluded albeit in a lower gear at Kangaru Boys High School on Saturday.

The final gathering, coming too close after the Christmas break, saw Road Racers Morris Munene and Sheila Chesang win the senior 10Kilometres apart as Josphat Mumo and Bancy Muthoni dominated the junior races.

Munene, the Bristol half marathon course record holder, easily triumphed against his opponents to take the senior men crown in 30:55.5 on the rocky course ahead of trailers Vincent Toroitich and Kennedy Cheserek of General Service Unit who finished second and third in 30:56.04 and 31:19.25.

Dennis Mugendi (31:25.08) from the host county, Timothy Katana (31:33.09) of General Service Unit and Josphat Ndambiri (31:40.09) from Embu topped the list of the first six in the senior men.

In what looked like a two-horse challenge between local athletes and the General Service Unit elite athletes, Sheila Chesang outfoxed home-girl Pauline Njeru to win the senior women 10kilometres race.

The GSU officer clocked 35:56.09 for victory while Njeru sighed in second in 36:39.01 as Helen Nzembi, also from GSU, sealed the podium in 37:25.09.

“The course was quite challenging. It was slippery with obstacles and dust. All the same, I am glad that I have won,” said the champion who is focusing on a marathon race in France next month.

At the beginning of the race, the last after Nairobi, Kilogoris, Nyahururu, Iten, Kapsokwony, Machakos, and Sotik, poor attendance almost derail the junior 6kilometres event where only 4 participants presented themselves for race.

Bancy Muthoni, Elizabeth Njeri (both from Kirinyaga) and Faith Wanjiru and Caroline Wambui, the last two from Embu, finished first, second, third and last in 24:48.04, 27:18.04, 34:43.09 and 34:44.0 respectively.

The junior men’s title was won by Joseph Mumo of Machakos in 24:49.02 with Michael Mutisya and Boniface Mulwa, also from Machakos, finishing second and third in 25:09.05 and 25:23.04.

The end of the build-up series paves the way for the grass root cross country competitions that will start with county championships this weekend that will culminate with the national selection on February 18th in Nairobi.

Selected Results

10Km Senior men

1. Morris Munene 30:55.5

 2. Vincent Toroitich 30:56.4

 3. Kennedy Cheserek 31:19.3

 4. Dennis Mugendi 31:25.8

 5. Timothy Katana 31:33.9

 6. Josphat Ndambiri 31:40.9

10Km Senior Women

1. Sheila Chesang 35:56.9

 2. Pauline Njeru 36:39.1

 3. Helen Nzembi 37:25.9

 4. Ruth Njoroge 39:24.4

 5. Getrude Chepchirchir 40:58.1

 6. Florence Njoroge 41:56.7

8Km Junior Men

1. Joseph Mumo 24:49.2

 2. Michael Mutisya 25:09.5

 3. Boniface Mulwa 25:23.4

 4. Nathan Mathenge 25:57.5

 5. Gerald Maina 26:07.9

 6. Jackson Maina 26:14.5

6Km Junior Women

1. Bancy Muthoni 24:48.4

 2. Elizabeth Njeri 27:18.4

 3. Faith Wanjiru 34:43.9

 4. Caroline Wambui 34:44.1

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications 

Kenya’s running season is headed for a demanding period with Athletics Kenya Calendar outlining packed activities in 2017 competition spell.

With four major global events dotting the International Association of Athletics Federation’s competition chart, the nation will be once again in the eyes of the world as the country’s brand ambassadors come under pressure to retain their acclaimed running glory.

But the season highlights will be the hosting of the IAAF World Under18 Championships in Nairobi on July 12th to 16th and the IAAF World Championships in London from August 4th to 13th.

This weekend, the Athletics Kenya Cross Country competition series concludes in Kangaru with the 8th leg before the grass-root championships that will culminate with the national trial and selection on February 18th in Nairobi.

The climax of the cross-country competitions will be the IAAF World Championships in Kampala, Uganda, on March 26th where Kenya would be defending the overall trophy.

Before the local cross country ends in Nairobi, the Athletics Kenya Relays series will start occupying the sprints and middle distant athletes with Nairobi and Kisumu hosting the 1st and 2nd build-ups on February 11th and 25th respectively.

Mombasa and Nairobi will stage the 3rd and 4th baton-changing runs on 11th March and 18th before the National trial for the Relay teams at Kasarani on April 1st where the teams will be selected for IAAF World Relays scheduled for April 22nd-23rd in Nassau, Bahamas.

The Track and Field competitions will begin on April 7th and 8th at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University in Bondo and move to Mumias Sports Complex on April 14th and 15th, Thika Stadium on April 28th and 29th and Nakuru on May 5th and 6th.

Kisii and Eldoret will sign off the build-ups on May 12th and 13th and May 19th and 20th before the competition proper is held at national level on July 7 and 8 with the trial selection taking place on July  21st and 22nd.

On June 13th and 14th, the country will be conducting the national trial for the World Under18 in Nairobi to pick the country’s team for the all-inclusive competitions that will be hosted at the same venue from July 12th to 16th.

For those competing in the senior ranks, the IAAF World Championships in London from August 4th to August 13th will be apex of their career as they seek to reclaim the 2015 Beijing brilliancy where Kenya  emerged the overall global winner with the highest number of medals.

In between these major championships, the athletes will also be engaged in other equally important competitions both locally and at the universal stage.

On March 5th, the road race runners will be gauging themselves in the 4th edition of First Lady Marathon while University students will have the opportunity to represent the country during the 20th World Universities Cross Country Championships in Monte Cassino, Italy.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communication

As it has been repeatedly stated with considerable wisdom and experience, all is well that ends well.

As the sporting year 2016 comes to an end, the country’s athletics fraternity in general and the Athletics Federation in particular delights in the achievements of the season.

Obstacles notwithstanding, Kenyans athletes lived to their expectations and ventured in new territories that saw the country maintained both her continental and global ranking levels in every competition.

Right from the Africa Cross Country Championships to the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil, the Kenyan sportsmen and women made the country pride in her sporting prowess and legendry memories will remain in the running narration for a long time to come.

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei captured the season achievements, terming it as successful with unexpected performance amidst challenges and enumerated the gains of the year during the Gala
Award ceremony this year.

“Our sporting year has been the most successful one despite the challenges we faced, starting with the Africa cross-country in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where Kenya won all the 8 gold medals,” reflected the President during the colourful banquet held at a Nairobi hotel.

Alice Aprot and James Rungaru set the successful precedent with unsurpassed victories in the senior women and senior men races after the duo of Mariam Cherop and Isaac Kipsang ruled in the junior  categories.

The second assignment for Kenyans came during the World Indoor Championships in Portland in the same month of March, where Augustine Choge and Margaret Wambui pioneered in the medal charming haul.

In Cardiff in the Wales, Geoffrey Kamworor, Bedan Karoki, Peris Jepchirchir, Cynthia Limo and Mary Wacera played their executing roles religiously, placing the nation on top of the World during the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.

Kamworor, with a mastery cross-country and 10,000metres running affinity, teamed up well with Karoki to take gold and silver medals while Jepchirchir steered her teammates Limo and Wacera for the famous  Kenyan trademark of 1-2-3 podium sweep.

 In the pre-summer season, the country’s teens, borrowing from their mentors in the senior ranks, rocked the World during the IAAF World Junior (now World Under20) Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Kipyegon Bett, Rogers Kwemoi, Kumari Taki and Amos Kirui hoisted the national flag severally while Celphine Chepsol, Emily Chekirui and Maureen Thomas called the tunes for the national anthem with their unsurpassed recital.

On the continental scene, the country’s athletics accomplishment saw the nation emerging second overall during the Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Durban, South Africa during the month of June.

Boniface Mucheru and Mathew Sawe pioneered in winning 400metres hurdles and the High Jump titles in events hitherto regarded with low esteem.

Alice Aprot (10,000metres), Grace Wanjiru (20Kilometres Walk) and Samuel Gathimba (20Km Walk) did not only win their respective events but set continental all-time marks with their outstanding performance.

Kenya collected a leveled 8 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze, a haul of 24 medals to maintain her supremacy in Africa Athletics, losing only to the host nation that fielded all their best.

The climax of all these came during the Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where Eliud Kipchoge, Jemimah Sumgong, Vivian Cheruiyot, Faith Chepng’etich, Consenslus Kipruto and David Rudisha dazzled with blistering speed in winning their respective races.

To cap a bumperful season, Athletics Kenya rewarded the best in the year with a colourful banquet in Nairobi where marathoner Eliud Kipchoge and track Queen Vivian Cheruiyot were crowned Male and Female Athletes of the Year 2016.

As the year ends, Kenyans would be expecting more glittering performance come next year starting with the IAAF World Cross Country in Uganda, World Relays in Nassau, World U18 in Nairobi and in the  World Championships in London.

Merry Chrismas & Prosperous 2017

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communication

Olympians Helen Onsando Obiri and Charles Yosei Muneria generated dazzling performance during the 6th Athletics Kenya Cross-country weekend Meeting in Machakos as the series take a break.

The pair displayed top form in prevailing in the 10kilometres senior races and declared their ambitions to compete for the country in the International Association of Athletics Federation World Championships on March 26 in Kampala, Uganda.

It was a double victory for Obiri, the Rio Olympics 5,000metres silver medalist, after her victory during the beginning of the series in Nairobi on November 5th.

“I am happy to win in a more competitive race here compared to Nairobi six weeks ago. The weather was very great and I have enjoyed running  here,” said Obiri who competed for her Laikipia Air Base, renewing her dream of representing Kenya in the cross country next year after clocking 33:29.1 in the 10Km.

Olympic 1,500metres champion Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon finished second in 33:46.9 while Beatrice Chepkemoi, 5th in Nairobi, timed 33:56.1 in third place.

For Mneria, it was a rejuvenation bouncing back to winning pedestals after failing to impress in the Olympics where he could not advance to the finals of 5,000metres despite finishing second in 10,000metres during the trial.

The Prison apprentice, initially based in Japan, subjugated a strong field that included Nairobi Meet winner Katui Muia and defending champion Stephen Arita, winning the race in 29:33.4

Seasonal Peter Emase came in second in 29:45.8 while Muia and Arita finished third and fourth in 29:52.6 and 29:58.8 with Andrew Lorot, second in Nairobi, timing 30:09.5 in position five.

The junior categories were claimed by Shadrack Langat and Ednah Jebitok in 24:02.7 and 20:20.5 as the series takes a break until next year when they are expected to conclude in Sotik on January 7th.

Top six finishers;-

 10Km Senior Men

1. Charles Muneria 29:33.4

2. Peter Emase 29:45.8

3. Katui Muia 29:52.6

4. Stephen Arita 29:58.8

5. Andrew Lorot 30:09.5

6. Jonathan Ndiku 30:12.5

10Km Senior Women

1. Helen O. Obiri 33:29.1

2. Faith Chepng’etich 33:46.9

3. Beatrice Chepkemoi 33:56.1

4. Gladys Cherono 34:24.1

5. Pauline Cherono 34:31.3

6. Agnes Chesang 35:17.8

8Km Junior Men

1. Shadrack Langat 24:02.7

2. Nickson Kiplagat 24:05.1

3. Richard Kimuyang 24:06.7

4. Elijah Kosgei 24:08.7

5. Ben Mosonik 24:12.2

6. Vincent Ng’etich 24:15.8

6Km Junior Women

1. Ednah Jebitok 20:20.5

2. Ziporah Chemutai 20:30.5

3. Joyline Cherotich 20:36.5

4. Winfridah Mutie 20:42.5

5. Betty Chesang 20:46.6

6. Ivyne Chepke

Veterans Stephen Arita and Katui Muia are set to lead a classic battle for supremacy in Machakos during the 6th Athletics Kenya Cross Country Challenge before the year come to an end.

The pair, together with local talents Caleb Mwangangi, Nancy Nzisa and Eunice Kioko, will be the leading light in the Southern Region Meet, the fifth leg in Athletics Kenya Calendar that will also mark the endn of 2016 local cross country running on Saturday.

Preparations to host the race are in top gear with expectations of high turn-out from the disciplined forces that have pitched training camps across the country ahead of their championships slated for  January next year.

“The Machakos race is very important for us. Our athletes are now sharpening for cross-country and we will make them compete in this meeting before they break their training for Christmas,” said a coach  from KDF, remaining anonymous owing to his junior rank.

Last year in the same place, Stephen Arita beat Franklin Ngelel to win the senior men 10km while Caroline Chepkoech won the senior women title ahead of Margaret Chelimo.

Sandra Chebet and Nicholas Kosibei claimed the junior titles and it would be exciting to see new winners carry the day in the Athletics Kenya sponsored jackpot series that started in Nairobi at the beginning of November.

Katui Muia, Japhet Korir, Geoffrey Koech, Emmanuel Kipsang and Noah Kipkemboi have registered victories in Nairobi, Kilgoris, Nyahururu, Iten and Mt Elgon in the senior men while Olympian Helen Obiri, Winfrida Moseti, Jackline Chepkosgei, Immaculate Chebet and Jackline Atudonya have won women editions apart.

Five of the seven races have been held in Nairobi, Kilgoris, Nyahururu, Iten and Kapsokwony in Mt Elgon.

Sotik in the South Rift will follow Machakos on January 7th before the grass-root competitions that will culminate with the selection of the national team to the IAAF World Cross-country championships on  February 18th in Nairobi.

Ends

The absence of celebrated athletes in Kapsokwony did not dilute pursuit for excellence as upcoming runners took advantage to assert their authority in cross country running on Saturday

Noah Kipkemboi and Jackline Atudonya stole the show during the 5^th Athletics Kenya cross-country competitions when they won the 10kilometres senior divisions while rising stars Daniel Kipchumba and  famed Celhine Chepteek, voted the Young Female Athlete of the Year, stamped their authority in the junior classes.

Kipkemboi, 5th during the second meeting in Kilgoris last month, won in the challenging course with strong headwind in 31:01.2 with less known Abraham Kiptum winding second in 31:09.3 ahead of third finisher Cosmas Birech who managed 31:18.8.

On the other hand, Jackline Atudonya eclipsed a strong field, beating World Half marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat, who finished 11^th in Iten a week ago, and Nyahururu’s 2nd ranked Nelly Cheptoo.

The champion stopped the timer in 36:04.4 with Cheptoo agreeing to second position in 36:55.5. Kiplagat, also the Chicago marathon champion, finished third after timing 37:29.0.

Daniel Kipchumba at last found the winning formula after finishing second twice in Nairobi and Nyahururu and coming 5th in Kilgoris in the junior men’s 8kilometres.

He came first in 24:46.0 with Joshua Kiplangat and Calbus Lamwai finishing behind the winner in 24:59.4 and 25:01.9 in the class with 104 competitors.

Celphine  Chepteek, the World junior 3,000m Steeplechase champion, was the winner in the junior women after clocking 21:03.4, beating Zenah Cheptai and Catherine Relina. Cheptai and Relina finished in 21:36.0 and 21:48.2 respectively.

SELECTED RESULT

 10km Senior Men
1.Noah Kipkemboi 31:01:12

2. Abraham Kiptum 31:09:27

3. Cosmas Birech 31:18:77

4. Timothy Rono 31:32:35

5. Fredrick Koech 31:47:24

6. Joshua Kogo 31:56:86
10km Senior women
1. Jackline Atudonya 36:04:32

2. Nelly Cheptoo 36:55:50

3. Florence Kiplagat 37:28:96

4. Sophy Chebiwott 38:00:80

5. Gladys Songol 39:29:92

6. Eunice Chemwetich 40:31:08
8km Junior men
1.Daniel Kipchumba 24:45:96

2. Joshua Kiplangat 24:59:36

3. Calbus Lamwai 25:01:85

4. Samuel Chebolei 25:02:14

5. Alex Kibet 25:02:43

6. Aron Ndiema 25:02:90
6km Junior Women
1.Celphine Chepteek 21:03:39

2. Zenah Cheptai 21:36:93

3. Catherine Relina 21:48:16

4. Regina Cheptoo 21:51:05

5. Phelisiana Kanda 22:03:73

6. Dorris Cherop 22:18:88.

Athletes who posted superlative performance during major championships this year will be crown on Wednesday this week during the annual Athletics Kenya Golden Gala in Nairobi.

The Seven-teen Sportsmen and women will be garlanded during the feat slated for Panari Hotel where the Chief Guest is the Confederation of Africa Athletics President Mr. Hamad Kalkaba Malboum and senior sports officials.

The climax of the annual celebrations will be the revelation of the 2016 Male and Female Athlete of the Year characteristic with the festival that recognizes the contributions international athletes make in both continental and global competitions.

Also to be fated will be youth where the 2016 Male Young Athlete of the Year and the Female Young Athlete will be crowned before the award narrow down to individualized performance in specific events.

These awards include the Sprinter of the Year, the Middle Distance Athletes of the Year and the Long Distance Athletes in both men and women.

The nominees for various awards were proposed by athletics fraternity and the public through social media and voted accordingly.

Last year, Vivian Cheruiyot, a 5,000metres and 10,000metres specialist, and the self-made Javelin rare-talent Julius Yego were crowned Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

The 18 classes earmarked for award this year are;

1.       2016 Athlete of the Year (Male)

2.       2016 Athlete of the Year (Female)

3.       2016 Young Athlete of the Year (Male)

4.       2016 Young Athlete of the Year (Female)

5.       2016 Sprinter of the Athlete of the Year (Male)

6.       2016 Sprinter of the Athlete of the Year (Female)

7.       2016 Middle Distance Athlete of the Year (Male)

8.       2016 Middle Distance Athlete of the (Female)

9.       2016 Long Distance Athlete of the Year (Male)

10.   2016 Long Distance Athlete of the Year (Female)

11.   2016 Field Athlete of the Year (Male)

12.   2016 Road Running Athlete the Year (Male)

13.   2016 Road Running Athlete of the Year (Female)

14.   2016 Cross Country Athlete the Year (Male)

15.   2016 Cross Country Athlete of the Year (Female)

16.   2016 Come-back Athlete of the Year,

17.   2016 Coach of the Year,

18.   2016 Athletics Kenya Golden Award

Ends

New Cross Country sensation Emmanuel Kipsang reclaimed the senior men title during the 4th Premium Athletics Kenya weekend Meeting in the North Rift as the Iten Junior Training Camp won the Cross Medley Relay.

Kipsang, also the World Military Games Bronze medalist, displayed new class of cross-country mastery, outclassing a huge field on the meadow course confined within St Patrick’s High School playing grounds.

“This is a very challenging course but I like it.  I competed here last year and happy to have defended my title. I have now to focus on the KDF national championships before the trial. I am also sure of being in the national cross-country team,” said the newly crowned Standard Chartered Nairobi and Baringo 10Km Champion after covering the shorter course in 26:57.2.

Philemon Rono of Kenya Police Service, the 2013 national champion, was placed second in 27:06.9 while Emmanuel Bett timed 27:10.3 in the third place.

In the absence of defending champion Pauline Korikwiang, newcomer Immaculate Chebet won the senior women title with ease, stopping the clock at 31:08.7.

Nelly Jeptoo closed in second in 31:15.0 with Gladys Kimaina and multiple Champion Agnes Chesang and Rachael Chebet trailing in 31:18.6, 31:24.3 and 31:27.9 respectively.

Edwin Kosgei and Betty Jepkemoi were the king and the queen in the junior races, brushing their opponents aside to win in 21:39.5 and 18:26.1 during the event graced by Athletics Kenya senior vice President Paul Mutwii and Elgeyo Marakwet County Majority leader Hon Wilson Boit Kipketer.

In the newly introduced cross-country medley relay, Iten Junior Training Camp emerged shoulder high after beating the Kenya Police Service, Kenya Defense Forces and consolidated county teams.

The juniors won in 22:34.25 to get 6 points while Police timed 22:41.35 for 10 points and KDF returned 22:44.13, collecting 15 points. General Service Unit finished fourth in 23:06.25 (15pts), Nandi County 23:06.67 and host Egeyo Markawet closed the championships in 23:07.56 and harvested 20 points.

Selected Results;

 Senior Men

1. Emmanuel Kipsang 26:57.2

2. Philemon Rono 27:06.9

3. Emmanuel Bett 27:10.3

4. Lokitam Rhonzas 27:13.8

5. Franklin Ngelel 27:15.6

6. Philip Tarbei 27:16.5

Senior Women

1. Emmaculate Chebet 31:08.7

2. Nelly Cheptoo 31:15.0

3. Glady Kimaina 31:18.6

4. Agnes Chesang 31:24.3

5. Jebet Rachael 31:27.9

6. Antonine Kwambai 31:29.5

Junior Men

1. Edwin Kosgei 21:39.5

2. Rhones Kipruto 21:40.1

3. Vincent Kipkorir 21:42.0

4. Abel Kiplimo 21:49.4

5. Joram Lumbush 21:49.9

6. Leonard Kipkemoi 21:54.2

Junior Women

1. Betty Jepkemoi 18:26.1

2. Immaculate Chepkirui 18:28.6

3. Jebet Ng’etich 18:33.6

4. Miriam Jerop 18:35.3

5. Hyvin Jepkemoi 18:44.6

6. Catherine Leline 18:54.5

Ends

The serene atmosphere in Kakamega Forest will be ruffled come Saturday morning with hundreds of athletes and conservationists burning their lungs out running in order to restore the area ecosystem.

The Kakamega Forest multiple events will bring elites athletes and fans collectively after the race was officially launched by Athletics Kenya Chiefs and local leaders at Riadha House, Nairobi, on Wednesday.

In its third edition this year, the Kakamega Forest Marathon Run is an event with a worthy course as it aims at sensitizing the locals on restoration and conservation of the indigenous woodland with its flora  and fauna.

“This is one of the most important running events we have in Kenya. It’s objectives goes beyond providing entertainment since it brings all the stakeholders for a common purpose. We shall continue to give our support,” offered Athletics Kenya senior vice President Paul Mutwii.

The Reputed Western Kenya jungle will be used for five different race events that will include the 42 and 21Kilometres Premium challenges within and around the forest and the fundraisers “Ingo” races that  will see locals negotiate the bushes in 15kilometres and 5Km Totos challenge (Children race).

In addition, the organizers have planned a 23-kilometres bicycle challenge for the locals, known for their penchant for cycling.

Winners in all race categories will line up their pockets with cash money ahead of the Christmas festivities where victors in 42 and 21kilometres getting Sh500, 000 and Sh150, 000 for their sweat.

Kakamega Forest Marathon is among the latest road running event in the country after Mombasa, Nairobi Standard Chartered, Safaricom Kisumu Marathon, Kass marathon in Eldoret, and Iten marathon in Iten.

The junior cross country rivalry played out during Athletics Kenya Premium race in Nyahururu when World Youth champion Lilian Kasait Rengeruk toppled multiple champ Sandra Chebet Tuwei for the 6Km

In the race held at Nyandarua Technical Institute amidst frosty weather circumstances, Nicholas Chelule took the reign in the junior men 8kilometres as Geoffrey Koech and Jackline Jepkosgei regained their winning feet by taking the senior titles with ease.

Kasait, who was placed second to Sandra during the Ndalat Gaa Assembly and in the first Meeting in Nairobi two weeks ago, out-smarted her foe after towing with apprehension for 4kilometres on the grassy but flat 2Km loop course with hundreds of athletes in attendance.

The West Pokot-born athlete, also a silver medalist in the World junior cross-country championship, timed 19:38. 3 while Sandra, also the winner of Ndalat Gaa Kids cross-country this year, clocked 19:44.3 with Ednah Cheptoo, 4th in Nairobi, managing 19:49.2 for third placing.

Geoffrey Koech scaled two steps from his third placing in Trans Mara to win the senior men’s 10Km in 29:09.8 where Nicholas Chelule, 4th in Nairobi, took the straddles in the junior men competitions in 23:26.3 while Daniel Kipchumba maintained his Nairobi second position in 23:29.0. He was fourth in Kilgoris the previous weekend.

The senior women label was claimed by Jackline Chepkosgei in 33:20.4 while constant Beatrice Mutai, a marathoner with cross-country mastery, arrived second in 33:36.5 with 5,000metres Africa Queen Sheila Chepkurui getting Bronze in 33:49.2 during the occasion attended by Athletics Kenya senior vice president Paul Mutwii, AK Hon Treasury David Miano and local politicians.

The federations cross country rallies will take a break this week but resumes on December 3rd with the second Premium and 4th weekend Meeting in St Patrick’s Iten, the Home of Athletics in the North Rift region.

Local athletes are on the build-up to the 42nd International Association of Athletics Federations World Cross Country championship that will be held in Kampala, Uganda, in March next year.

Prize Winners;

Junior Women 6Km

1. Lilian Kasait 19:38.3

 2. Sadra Chebet 19:44.3

 3. Ednah Cheptoo 19:49.2

 4. Caren Chebet 20:13.6

 5. Emily Chebet 20:14.6

 6. Sharon Cherotich 20:18.0

Junior Men 8Km

1. Nicholas Chelule 23:26.3

 2. Daniel Kipchumba 23:29.0

 3. Vincent Ng’etich 23:30.5

 4. Kibiwott Kandie 23:36.2

 5. Dennis Kemboi 23:39.7

 6. Vincent Raimoi 23:41.3

Senior Women 10Km

1. Jackline Chepkosgei 33:20.4

 2. Beatrice Mutai 33:36.5

 3. Sheila Chepkurui 33:49.2

 4. Veronica Nyaruai 34:07.7

 5. Nelly Cheptoo 34:15.1

 6. Beatrice Chepkoech 34:25.5

Senior Men 10Km

1. Geoffrey Koech 29:09.8

 2. Vincent Rono 29:14.2

 3. Franklin Ng’elel 29:15.0

 4. Philip Langat 29:16.3

 5. Nicholas Kosbei 29:20.3

 6. Peter Ndirangu 29:20.9

Medley Relay (8KM)

1. Balaam 25:20.77

 2. General Service Unit 26:07.20

 3. Laikipia 26:56.65.

Athletics Kenya

Media and Communications

The undulating Plain and the affable Nyandarua weather conditions is welcoming the more than 500 participants during Athletics Kenya Premium cross-country running in Nyahururu on Saturday.

However, the prevailing swiveling wind and wet drops in the county will offer the competitions innovative challenges as local athletes takes the cross country competitions to Nyandarua Technical Training Institute on the high altitude areas of the Central Kenya Region.

The top crème de crème, who are expected during the Meeting, the third one to take place and the first Premium label, is Africa Cross-country queen Alice Aprot and inexhaustible Sandrafelis Chebet who would be battling it out against local talents led by World half marathon bronze medalist Mary Wacera Ngugi and upcoming Simon Muthoni, fresh from winning Sasumua Dam 10Km race last week.

Francis Mwaniki, the Nyandarua County Athletics Kenya boss, is upbeat on the class expected for the contest saying the region is the epicenter of Central Kenya athletics.

“The Meeting will be more competitive because it is the first Premium labeled race after the first two series. We have several upcoming athletes from our training camps here that are expected to challenge the old order. We are sure of witnessing the birth of new champions,” said Mwaniki, also the Mfae Athletics Club Manager.

Last year, Cleophas Ng’etich, Caroline Chepkoech and sandrafelis Chebet dominated the senior 10kilometres and junior women 6km at the same venue with school boy Andrew Lorot, now sitting for his Form 4 exams, taking the junior men 8Km.

The Nyahururu gathering is the 3rd leg of the official Athletics Kenya cross country competition series after Nairobi and Kilgoris in Trans Mara hosted the opening two competitions.

After missing in action for three years, cross-country talent Japhet Korir bounced back into the winning streaks after clinching the 10 kilometres title during the 2nd Athletics Kenya cross country leg in Kilgoris over the weekend.

Korir, together with former Safaricom jack-pot winner Moses Mukono, reaffirmed their cross country running peculiarity with splendid victory as Kisii-based Winfrida Moseti beat strong opponents in then senior women race category.

Competing after several flops, Korir ran a tactical race to out-wit Mukono, completing the rough but flat course in 30:11.5, and announced his dream of returning to the global class by being in the national cross-country team this year.

“I have been out on injury. But I am happy to be back. I want to make the team to the World cross country this year and I believe I will make it God willing. It is possible,” said Korir who competed for  Kenya three years ago with tepid performance.

Mukono timed 30:18.1 to finish second after his 5th placing in Nairobi a week ago while Geoffrey Koech and Edwin Mukua completed third and fourth in 30:27.8 and 30:58.2 in that order.

In senior women, Moseti improved her cross-country rating with her victory achieved in 36:40.2 under scorching sun and dusty trails in the event held at Poroko High School while her opponents Caroline  Chepkemoi and Marathoner and 10,000metres specialist Joyce Chepkirui finished second and third for the podium seal in and 36:58.0 and 37:14.0.

Vincent Kipkorir and Immaculate Chepkirui won the junior 8 and 6 kilometres in 24:02.5 and 20:41.3 apart as the second of the eight editions ended in the South Rift town of Trans Mara sub-county.

Nyandarua Technical Training Institute in Nyahururu, Nyandarua County, will be hosting the 3rd and 1st Premium leg on this coming Saturday.

10Kilometres Senior Men-

1. Japhet Korir 30:11.5 (Sigowet)

2. Moses Mukono 30:18.1 (Rongai)

3. Geoffrey Koech 30:27.8 (Kericho)

4. Edwin Mukua 30:58.2 (Kisii)

5. Noah Kipkemboi 31:10.6 (Complete Sports)

6. Reuben Kemboi 31:41.5 (Kibabet)

7. Nehemiah Makori 32:26.3 (Kisii)

8. Robert Keter 33:10.2 (Bomet)

9. Daniel Manyara 33:25.5 (Keroka)

10. Bernard Rono 33:42.3 (Kericho)

Senior Women 10Kilometres

1. Winfridah Moset 36:40.2 (Kisii)

2. Caroline Chepkemoi 36:58.0 (Kericho)

3. Joyce Chepkirui 37:14.0 (Bomet)

4. Josephine Chelangat 37:25.4 (Kericho)

5. Judith Cherotich 38:02.0 (Kapsabet)

6. Norah Chebet 38:23.1 (Eldoret)

7. Nancy Chepkirui 38:29.0 (Bomet)

Junior men 8Kilometres

1. Vincent Kipkorir 24:02.5 (Silbwet)

2. Duncan Kiprotich 24:04.1 (Silbwet)

3. Edwin Koskei 24:05.2 (Kibajit)

4. Daniel Kipchumba 24:23.1 (Kaptagat)

5. Elijah Kositany 24:28.0 (Bomet)

6. George Achuka 24:29.4 (Keroka)

7. Mathew Kimeli 24:38.9 (Essport)

8. Name Missing 24:39.6

9. Name Missing 24:42.2

10. Mosonik Kibet 24.42.6 (Bomet)

Junior Women 6Kilometres

1. Emmaculate Chepkirui 20:41.3 (Kericho)

2. Miriam Cherop 20:45.1 (Marakwet)

3. Betty Chepkemoi 20:46.5 (Kapsabet)

4. Damaris Cheptoo 20:59.0 (Eldoret)

5. Irene Chepkemoi 21:32.2 (Bomet)

6. Celestine Chepkirui 21:32.4 (Kericho)

7. Joyce Chepkemoi 21:48.7 (Bomet)

8. Ednah Chepkemoi 22:10.6 (Trans Mara)

9. Faith Cherono 22:36.3 (Keringet)

10. Beatrice Becky 22:46.1 (Nyahururu).

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communication.

Kenya’s athletes exploits in international competitions has started paying dividends after steeple chaser Ezekiel Kemboi Yano and 800metres ace David Lekuta Rudisha earned global and continental posts.

Not left behind is women steeplechase expert Milcah Chemos, who has been elevated to an Athletics Kenya Executive member as an athletes’ representative in a move that will go a long way in inspiring the  young generation of athletes in the country.

Kemboi, a senior Police Officer attached to the Presidential Escort Unit and a darling of many athletics fans, now joins the International Association of Athletics Federations as a member of Athletes’ Commission where Benjamin Limo, the 2005 World Champion over 5,000metres, served as an Athletes’ representative.

For Rudisha, with a decorated running career that embodies a World Record, two Olympics titles and World Championships crowns over the 800metres, being entrusted as the new president of the Confederation of Africa Athletics Athletes’ Commission is an honour bestowed on the most deserving athlete.

“This is a big honour to our athletes after their hard work all these years. We are really proud of them and wish them the very best in their new appointments. Athletics Kenya will continue giving them all  the support they need. Their success in their duties is also a success to all of us,” said Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei while serving the athletes with their appointments letters at Riadha House on Thursday.

Chemos, who last won Kenya a Bronze medal during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in her 3,000metres Steeplechase specialty, replaced 1,500metres Sydney Olympic champions and one mile record holder Noah Ng’eny as the Athletes’ Representative in Athletics Kenya.

It is a rewarding season for Kenya as a senior legal expert, Jinaro Kibet, also Athletics Kenya vice-president, joined IAAF Legal Commission.

More good news is expected from Monaco, the International Association of Athletics Federations headquarters, after Athletics Kenya fronted names for Kenyans to various commissions including Coaches Commission, Medical Commission, Road Racing Commission and Women Commission where  AK vice-president Fatma Awale serves.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

The sleepy Kilgoris town will vibrate with running activities when Athletics Kenya cross-country stir the Trans Mara district administrative headquarters with the second leg of the build-up competitions this Saturday morning.

The event will be a litmus test for athletes from the Masai-Kipsigis dominated sub-country as the South Rift region hosts the championships for the first time in the area renowned for producing great middle  distant runners with introduction of the cross-country medley relays.

Athletics Kenya regional chairman John Wachira confirmed preparations are in top gear and he is expecting good competitions when the event commences at Poroko Friends High School playing grounds.

Athletics Kenya will also use the occasion to introduce the new cross-country medley relays that has been introduced by IAAF where 2 men and 2 women will form a team with each covering the 2kilometre loop.

“This is the region that is the home of 800metres World Record holder David Rudisha, cross country professional Gideon Ng’atuny and former middle distant runner, Billy Konchella, Patrick Konchella and Stephen Ole Marai. We shall have good competitions,” said the regional athletics boss.

Apart from Ng’atuny who is based in Japan, the meeting will also be flocked by athletes from the neighbouring Kericho and Bomet Counties with William Sitonik, Japhet Korir and Peter Kipkemei mounting the attack in the senior men’s 10kilometres.

Last year, Vincent Rono, Damaris Areba, Ronald Kiprotich and Sandra Chebet dominated in the four race-categories when the 7th leg was hosted in the neighbouring Sotik G.K. Prisons grounds in January.

Apart from local runners, the event will also be attended by other Athletics Kenya affiliates including the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Prisons Service and Kenya Police Service as well as competitors from  the surrounding regions of Kisii, Nyamira and Central Rift.

The Trans Mara contest is the second in a series of eight that have been spread across the country to be used by athletes as they prepare for the season ahead of the national championships on February 18th  next year.

The 1st cross-country weekend Meeting was held in Nairobi last week and the 3rd, which will also be the 1st Premium label segment, will take place at the Nyandarua Technical Training Institute in Nyahururu  on November 19th.

Rio Olympics 5,000metres silver winner Helen Obiri, regular cross-country runner Katui Muia, up-coming Mathew Kimeli and World junior champion Sandra Chebet ruled in Nairobi during the opener.

Athletics Kenya

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Kenya sustained her winning scripts after harvesting more than 10 medals during the World Masters Championships that ended on Sunday in Perth, Australia.

As it has been the national tradition, the country maintained her supremacy in long distant events with clean podium sweep in the men half marathon before the championships came to a conclusion.

Francis Komu, Paul Kibet Yego and Joshua Kipchumba won the all-important gold medals for Kenya after executing unparalleled performance in half marathon and in 10,000metres, jealously guarding the Kenyan tradition in these chosen events.

Komu propelled countrymen John Birgen and Philip Meto for a commanding 1-2-3 podium finish in 21Km M40 category, each clocking 1:11.06, 1:11.19 and 1:1126 for gold, silver and the bronze.

Almost similar performance was realized in the 10,000metres M50 class where Paul Yego led team mate Raymond Ben for gold and silver in 33:13.34 and 33:19.16 respectively.

In 10,000metres M45, Joshua Kipchumba trounced Argentina’s Troncoso and Patrick Kwist of Netherlands to win the third gold medal after finishing in 31:40.16. His opponents completed in 32:04.42 and 32:10.29 in that order.

John Sang, Stephen Kihara and Stephen Kamande clinched a silver medal each after finishing runners up in 21Kilometres M45, M55 and M60, crossing the finish line in 1:12.18.01, 1:15.14.48 and 1:27.38.13 in  their respective categories.

The bronze medals were won through Joseph Some Kosgei in 10,000metres M60 with the time 39:45.73 and Joshua Pondo in the Shot Put men M55 class. He managed a throw of 14:06.

Although the country was fielding the team for the first time, the contingent managed to win a total of 11 medals- 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze, bringing additional glory with the Kenya’s trade-mark performance.

Gold Medal Winners:

1. Francis Komu 21Km M40

2. Paul Kibet Yego 10,000m M50

3. Joshua Kipchumba 10,000m M45

Silver Medalists

1. John Birgen 21Km M40

2. John Sang 21Km M45

3. Stephen Kihara 21Km M55

4. Stephen Kamande 21Km M60

5. Raymond Ben 10,000m M50

Bronze Medalists

1. Philip Meto 21Km M40

2. Joseph Some Kosgei 10,000m M60

3. Joshua Pondo Shot Put M55

Middle distant specialist Helen Onsando Obiri extended her strides longer by successfully winning the Ten kilometers senior women cross country in Nairobi as Athletics Kenya build-up series kicked off on  Saturday.

The signature also witnessed born-winner Sandra Felis Chebet and new-found Mathew Kimeli dictating the going-on in the junior classes during the competitions held at Telkom Playing Grounds on the western side of the city capital.

Obiri, who resumed her training recently after clinching a silver medal in 5,000metres during the Rio Olympics Games in August, won in 34:03.9 as seasonal Katui Muia started the season with success in the  senior men 10kilomress.

“I have been training for three weeks now after competing in the Olympics Games two months ago. My focus is to compete at the cross-country nationals in February and make the team to the World  Championships in Uganda. I hope to make it,” said the champion that is a middle distant specialist who has competed prominently in 1,500metres.

Cross-country expert Sheila Chepkirui timed 34:27.0 for second place while Nancy Nzisa and marathoner Beatrice Chepkemboi clocked 34:42.9 and 35:08.4 as the season gains momentum that will climax in Kampala, Uganda in March next year where the World Championships will take place.

 In senior men, Muia, a Machakos based cross-country regular, won in 30:24.9 to edge out school boy Andrew Lorot who tried his experience in the senior category for the first time before sitting his national  exams this month. Lorot, with top honours from East Africa Secondary Schools Championships, completed in 30:27.7

Veteran Stephen Arita, who was among the leading lights in the series chase last year, finished third in 30:30.3 while Franklin Ng’elel and Moses Mukono, all old hands in cross country running, were fourth and fifth in 30:40.8 and 30:47.3.

As projected, multiple junior champion Sandra Chebet, who dominated in the series last season, re-enacted her victorious scripts by reclaiming her last term’s title in 19:58.5 as new entrant Mathew  Kimeli ruled in the 8Kilometres junior men.

The winner took 24:10.5 while second and third-placed Daniel Kipchumba and Vincent Ng’etich timed 24:12.1 and 24:13.4 in that order during the assembly held on favourable weather conditions.

From Nairobi, all roads will lead to Kilgoris in Trans Mara for the second tabularized leg meant to prepare local cross-country hopefuls for the World Competitions.

Top Finishers:

10Km Senior Men

1. Katui Muia 30:24.9

2. Andrew Lorot 30:27.7

3. Stephen Arita 30:30.3

4. Franklin Ng’elel 30:40.8

5. Moses Mukono 30:47.3

8Km Junior Men

1. Mathew Kimeli 24:10.5

2. Daniel Kipchumba 24:12.1

3. Vincent Ng’etich 24:13.1

4. Nicholas Chelule 24:16.9

5. Alex Kibet 24:23.4

10Km Senior Women

1. Helen Obiri 34:03.9

2. Sheila Chepkirui 34:27.0

3. Nancy Nzisa 34:42.9

4. Beatrice Chepkemoi 35:08.4

5. Peninah Katui 35:12.2

6Km Junior Women

1. Sandra Felis Chebet 19:58.5

2. Lilian Kasait 20:22.4

3. Sheila Chelangat 20:27.5

4. Ednah Cheptoo 20:30.8

5. Carren Chebet 20:39.4.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

Athletics Kenya will roll out the eight Cross Country competition series this weekend with Nairobi County staging the icebreaker on Saturday at the Postal Grounds.

Coming barely a week after the annual Standard Chartered Marathon, the event will bring together both cross-country and track athletes as the stars start a new season focusing on major competitions next year.
 

Barnabas Korir, Athletics Kenya Nairobi Regional chairman, said all is set with multiple champions confirming their participation in all the four cross country segments.

“Those keen to be included in the cross-country team next year will start their build-up in Nairobi on Saturday. It is always advisable to begin in Nairobi since the team selection is done here,” advised Korir, also in charge of Athletics Kenya Youth sub-committee.

Among the high profile runners expected include last year’s winners Dominic Kiptarus (10Km senior men), Caroline Chepkoech (10Km senior women) and all-around Sandra Felis Chebet (6Km junior women) with favourite Andrew Lorot taking leave to write his Form Four Examinations.

Other competitors will be coming from institutions like the Kenya Police Service, Prison Service, the Kenya Defense Forces and training clubs in Ngong, Limuru and Ongata Rongai.

Last month, Ndalat Gaa in Nandi County hosted the annual Kids Cross-country where a record 2,878 participants including pupils and students from schools with multiple Africa front-runner Alice Aprot, less known Abraham Kiptum and Edwin Ng’etich taking the victories in senior women, senior men and junior men races respectively.

Kilgoris in Trans Mara will pick the series from Nairobi on November 12th but the first Premium take-off will be on November 19th at Nyandarua Technical Training Institute in Nyahururu of the Central Region.

Athletics Kenya

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New Champions came to the fore as thousands of athletics enthusiasts jammed the streets during the 14th version of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday morning.

Living to the expected script, the annual contest unveiled new winners with untested Robert Kiplimo Kipkemboi and Jane Jelagat Seurei winning the pitiless energy draining 42.2Kilometres categories under the current sweltering Nairobi weather.

Kipkemboi, who trains in the nail-biting cold weather at Kapsait Training Camp at the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet under marathoner Erick Kimaiyo, and Seurei from Nandi County, drafted 2:13.27 and 2:34.18 and pocketed Sh1.5 million each for their endurance.

Nevertheless, Kipkemboi and Seurei failed to lower the 2:13.25 and 2:29.32 course records set by Joshua Kipkorir and Elizabeth Rumokol in winning the 13th edition last year on the same circuit.

Mark Lokwanamoi and Hillary Kiplimo finished second and third and joined the winner on the men’s dais in 2:14.08 and 2:14.25 while Rachel Kosgei and Rose Maru chased Seurei for the top honours in 2:35.11 and 2:37.22, each taking home Sh650, 000 and Sh350, 000 correspondingly.

In the fervently competed 21.1Kilometres half-marathon, the script was replayed with less acknowledged Reuben Limaa from west Pokot County and Betty Lombus, also from the same region, ruling in the chase that had also enticed a number of dignitaries including United States Emissary Robert Cordec.

Limaa was awarded the victory amidst spirited argument occasioned by confusion when a full marathon competitor arrived earlier than expected only to be ruled out.

The victor timed 1:02.53 with Dominic Kipyegon and Kenneth Rotich, a son of retired marathoners Christopher Kandie and Judith Kiplimo, all Prisons Service officers, finishing third. The trio completed in 1:03.14 and 1:03.14 and got the top prizes of Sh150, 000, Sh100,000 and Sh50,000.

The women side was won by Lombus, clocking 1:12.26 followed by Ruth Chepng’etich in 1:14.13 and 2002 junior world cross-country silver medalist Penina Chepchumba who managed 1:15.13 for the share of Sh300,000 for the three of them.

Apart from the 42.2 and 21.1 categories, athletes also took part in other races that included 10kilometres for both men and women as well as 5kilometres family fun race. There were also wheel chair classes to include all the spectrum of the Kenyan society with Chief Guest being Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero.

Prize Winners

42.2Km (Men)

 1. Robert Kipkemboi 2:13.27 Ksh1.5 Million

2. Mark Lokwanamoi 2:14.08 (Ksh650, 000)

3. Hillary Kiplimo 2:14.25 (Ksh350.000)

4. Vincent Tanui 2:14.37 (Ksh150, 000)

5. Emmanuel Naibei 2:14.40 (Ksh100, 000)

6. Vincent Kiptoo 2:15.15 (Ksh50, 000)

7. Weldon Kirui 2:15.28 (Ksh40, 000)

8. Titus Kurgat 2:15.32 (Ksh30, 000)

9. Mathew Koech 2:15.39 (Ksh20, 000)

10. Samson Keiyo 2:15.44 (Ksh10, 000)

42.2 (Women)

 1. Jelagat Seurei 2:34.18 (Ksh1.5 Million)

2. Rachel Kosgei 2:35.11 (Ksh650, 000)

3. Rose Maru 2:37.22 (Ksh350, 000)

4. Shelmith Muriuki 2:38.18 (Ksh150, 000)

5. Emily Samoei 2:38.29 (Ksh100, 000)

6. Kallen Waithera 2:41.21 (Ksh50, 000)

7. Lucy Liavoga 2:49.54 (Ksh40, 000)

8. Eunice Kioko 2:53.59 (Ksh30, 000)

9. Naomi Nduta 2:54.05 (Ksh20, 000)

10. Sheila Mbaku 3:00.02 (Ksh10, 000)

21.1Km (Men)

1. Reuben Limaa 1:02.53 (Ksh150, 000)

2. Dominic Kipyegon 1:03.14 (Ksh100, 000)

3. Kenneth Rotich 1:03.27 (Ksh50, 000)

21.1K (Women)

1. Betty Lombus 1:12.26 (Ksh150, 000)

2. Ruth Chepng’etich 1:14.13 (Ksh100, 000)

3. Penina Chepchumba 1:15.13 (Ksh50, 000)

10Km (Men)

1. Gilbert Korir 29.28 (Ksh110, 000)

2. Stanley Kariuki 29.42 (Ksh60, 000)

3. Ezekiel Yego 30.08 (Ksh30, 000)

10Km (Women)

1. Faith Chepkoech 33.48 (Ksh110, 000)

2. Judy Cheroitich 34.39 (Ksh60, 000)

3. Ednah Koech 35.12 (Ksh30, 000)

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communication

The city capital will be teeming with human traffic when more than 30,000 athletes and fans participate in the 14th edition of Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday morning.

Highways and major roads will be closed in the western part of the city to allow the overwhelming number engage in the running activity, now synonymous with the country.

The annual contest will pity former champions against emerging forces where protagonists would be gunning for victories in different divisions including the wheel chair for both men and women.

Elite athletes will compete in the conventional races covering 42, 21 and 10kilometres while families and fans will take to the streets running in the traditional 5Kilometres fan-category.

Joshua Kipkorir and Elizabeth Rumokol resolves to defend the main titles would be facing fearsome task where novices are known to pull a surprise against the established order.

Kipkorir and Rumokol got a windfall last year during the 13^th anniversary of the money-spinning event after timing 2:13.25 and 2:29.32 for title wins apart.

Apart from the pair, Shadrack Kiptoo and Georgina Rono as well as Hillary Kiplimo and Chemtai Rionotukei returns on the course to try to better the ranking on the winning scale after finishing second and third respectively.

A possibility of new course records is anticipated this year judging from the quality of the line-up in all the four main categories and the clear-still weather being experienced in the capital this month.

Africa Senior 10,000metres silver medalist Wilfred Kimitei will be trying to dethrone Patrick Kipng’eno in the men 21kilometres after inscribing impressive 28:48 in 10Km.Tthe latter clocked 1:02.4 in winning the half marathon.

Purity Jebichii, Pauline Korikwiang and Lucy Cheruiyot will renew their rivalry in the women challenge where upcoming Pauline Esikon would be bargaining for recognition together with Sheila Chepkirui, the reigning Africa 5,000metres champion.

The event, in it’s 14th edition, has continued to live to the billing where new talents have emerged to propel their running career to international level.

Athletics Kenya

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Each year, Kenyans commemorates the contributions of great men and women in shaping the destiny of the country on the 20th day of October.

On Thursday this week, Kenyans across the country and from all walks of life will unite as the President lead the nation in marking this very significant national holiday branded Mashujaa Day as enshrined in
the constitution.

In paying tribute to the gallant sons and daughters of the nation, the input of our sportsmen and women cannot be gainsaid.

Since independent, Kenya has been relishing momentous occasions when her athletes, out on a mission to represent the country, have gone on to wrestle medals from great nations during global and continental championships.

The foundation laid by sports legends Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, Kipchoge Keino, Nyandika Mayoro, Ben Jipcho, Robert Ouko Amos Biwott, Tecla Sang and others have seen Kenya occupy a significant point in major competitions.

The memorable performance of the likes of John Ngugi, Peter Rono, Paul Ereng, Julius Kariuki, Reuben Kosgei, Noah Ng’eny, Mathew Birir, Catherine Ndereba and Joseph Chirchir have inspired generations to  sacrifice for the country.

As the country stands united and pays homage to the nation’s heroes and heroines, it is also an occasion to salute our athletes for their immense contribution by running for the country and for winning medals  in every competition.

This year, our athletes won the country a total of 13 medals- 6 Gold, 6 Silver and 1 Bronze during the month of August in the Rio Olympics Games, finishing significantly in position 2 in athletics medal chart,  a feat never realized before.

David Rudisha, Eliud Kipchoge, Vivian Cheruiyot, Consenslus Kipruto, Jemimah Suugong, Faith Chepg’etich, we salute you.
Paul Tanui, Helen Obiri, Boniface Mucheru, Julius Yego, Hyvin Kiyeng and Margaret Nyairera, you are our Mashujaa.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

Kenya’s quartet of Eliud Kipchoge, David Rudisha, Consenslus Kipruto and Vivian Cheruiyot has been nominated for the IAAF World Athlete of the Year Award following their luminous performance this season.

The four garlanded athletes are among the 20 grand achievers this year after scintillating show during the Rio Olympics Games in Brazil last summer and other previous performances.

Voting for the Male and Female Athlete of the Year process starts this week where Kipchoge, Rudisha and Kipruto will be competing for votes against seven other men while Vivian would be seeking to maximize her points against nine nominees for the female award.

“The IAAF is pleased to confirm a list of 10 men and 10 women nominees who were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of the  IAAF,” read a communiqué from the IAAF secretariat in Monaco released on Tuesday.

The voting will see the number whittle down to the best three in each category according to the number of votes cast in their favour before the IAAF Awards Night in Monaco on Friday 2 December 2016.

Kipchoge, the marathon Olympic champion, Rudisha, who defended his 800metres Olympic title in Rio and Kipruto, with bragging rights of an Olympic title and Olympic record in the steeplechase, will wrestle it out with Jamaica’s sprint maestro Uasin Bolt and Mo Farah of Great Britain and five others for the Male Athlete of the Year.

Vivian Cheruiyot, who clinched gold and silver medals in 10,000 and 5,000metres respectively, is squaring it out with Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia, Caster Semenya from South Africa, Kenyan-turned Bahrain Ruth Jebet and seven others for the Female Athlete of the Year crown.

According to the rules, the IAAF Council and the IAAF Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via the IAAF’s social media platforms in the Council’s three-way voting process that will
determine the finalists. Voting closes on 1 November.

The nominees for 2016 World Athlete of the Year are:

Men
Usain Bolt (JAM)
Thiago Braz da Silva (BRA)
Ashton Eaton (USA)
Mo Farah (GBR)
Eliud Kipchoge (KEN)
Consenslus Kipruto (KEN)
Omar McLeod (JAM)
David Rudisha (KEN)
Christian Taylor (USA)
Wayde van Niekerk (RSA)

Women
Almaz Ayana (ETH)
Ruth Beitia (ESP)
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN)
Kendra Harrison (USA)
Caterine Ibarguen (COL)
Ruth Jebet (BRN)
Sandra Perkovic (CRO)
Caster Semenya (RSA)
Elaine Thompson (JAM)
Anita Wlodarczyk (POL)

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

Kenya long distant athletes reaffirmed their superiority in the 26 miles event after former two-times World Champion Abel Kirui and World Half Marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat ruled the 39th Chicago Marathon on Sunday evening.

Kirui and Kiplagat did not only top the stepladder but also marshaled fellow Kenyans in dominating the top positions with men taking the first 5 leading slots.

The clean sweep elicited wild celebrations in athletics-rich Counties of Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Uasin Gishu where fans and families of the runners watched the race in social places.

At Tortoise Resort in Kapsabet, owned by Wilfred Bungei, the 2008 Olympics 800metres champion, the Bank of Africa held a special workshop for the athletes as they gathered to watch the race.

Kirui bounced back to the limelight after shaking off an injury to dethroned previous winner Dickson Chumba, clocking 2:11.23 with the latter arriving second in 2:11.26.

The victory is likely to ignite his desire to be included in next year’s World Championships in London where he aims for a third global title as he had indicated during the pre-race media conference.

Mumbai and Shanghai marathon winners Gideon Kipketer and Paul Lunyangata finished third and fourth in 2:12.20 and 2:13.17 while debutant Stephen Sambu came 5th in 2:13.35 in 1-2-3-4-5 for Kenya.

For women, it was Kiplagat who called the shoots, leading former two-times World champion Ednah Kiplagat in another 1-2-3-4 sway for the country, famed for winning every big city marathon races.

The world half-marathon record holder chalked 2:21.32 for the victory with Ednah timing 2:23.28. Previous Amsterdam marathon winner Valentine Kipketer took the third slot in 2:23.41 with habitual road racer Purity Rionoripo sealing the scale in 2:24.49.

Leading Results:

Men

1. Abel Kirui 2:11.23

2. Dickson Chumba 2:11.26

3. Gideon Kipketer 2:12.20

4. Paul Lunyangata 2:13.17

5. Stephen Sambu 2:13.35

18. Micah Kogo   2:20.03

Women:

1. Florence Kiplagat 2:21.32

2. Ednah Kiplagat 2: 23.28

3. Valentine Kipketer 2:23.41

4. Purity Rionoripo 2:24.49.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

Athletics Kenya released its national and international competition calendar this week that will engage athletics society ahead of major championships.

The highlight of the calendar will be the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda on March 26th, the IAAF World Relays on April 22-23 in Nassau, Bahamas, the IAAF World Under18 Championships in Nairobi on July 12th to 16th and the IAAF World Championships from August 4th-13th in London.

The season kicks off next week with cross-country where upcoming and seasoned runners will dust their spikes during the 8th version of the Safaricom Ndalat Gaa Kids showbiz in Nandi County, the race pioneered by former AK President, the Late Isaiah Kiplagat.

Nairobi County will commence the Athletics Kenya Cross Country series, now increased to 8, with the 1st Weekend Meeting on November 5th with Trans-Mara, for the first time, hosting the second edition on November 12th.

 Nyandarua Technical Training Institute in Nyahururu will host the third Premium on November 19th before the series move to North Rift where St Patrick’s Iten will be the venue for the 4th Premium on December 3rd.

The 5th and the 6th legs will take place in Kapsokwony in Mt Elgon of Western Region and Machakos in the Southern on December 10th and 18^th ahead of Sotik in South Rift on January 7th before the series conclude with the 8th segment on January 21st in Kangaru, Embu in Eastern.

In-between the series, the calendar has also outlined other competitions including the annual Baringo Half Marathon on November 5th, Tecla Loroupe 10Km Peace run on November 12th and Kass Marathon for road racers to be co-hosted by the two Counties of Nandi and Uasin Gishu on 13th November. Tusky’s Matress Wareng Cross-country is programmed for November 26th in Eldoret.

The climax of the local cross-country competitions will be the National championships to be held at Ngong Race Course on February 18thwhere the national team to the World Champions will be selected.

athletics-kenya-calendar-of-events-2016-2017

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

The 2016/2017 Cross-country season will start next weekend with the  annual Ndalat Gaa Kids event at Ndalat Gaa Girls High School in Nandi  County with elite athletics competing.

Olympic 3,000metres steeplechase champion Consenslus Kipruto, three  times 1,500metres World Champion Asbel Kiprop and Africa Senior  5,000metres sensation Margaret Chelimo will be among the star  attraction during the 8th edition of the race taking place on  Saturday.

“This year, the race will see more participant s competing in the 16  different categories including the elite in both men and women.  Kipruto (Consenslus) has always been a regular contestant and will be  the race ambassador,” confirmed Kennedy Tanui, the event competition  secretary and Central Rift region secretary.

With cross-country season beckoning, the Ndalat race will serve as an  opener to many cross country prospects as the new sporting calendar  begin ahead of major global championships next year.

“The event will have the usual cross country classes with senior men  running 10Km, senior women 8Km and the juniors competing in 6 and  8Kilometres. There will be other categories for kids and the elderly,”  added Tanui after the launch of the event at Riadha House on Wednesday  morning.

Kids aged between 7 and 15 years will run in different categories with  distances ranging from 500metres to 4kilometres while women and men  aged between 40 and 56 years and above will be featuring in 2 and  4kilometres respectively.

Last year, new revelation Nicodemus Kipkirui and Kericho-based  Caroline Chepkoech won the elite categories while dominant junior s  Andrew Lorot and Sandrafelis Chebet stole the show in the junior  categories.

During the launching, Athletics Kenya President Maj General Jack Tuwei  welcomed all the sponsors to the event and reiterated the federation’s  commitment in nurturing new athletics talents in the country.

The function was attended by Athletics Kenya Executives, Nandi County  Deputy governor Dominic Biwott, Mosop Member of Parliament and Nandi  women Representative Zipporah Kering.

The event will be sponsored by more than 20 organizations among them  mobile phone service provider Safaricom, Athletics Kenya, The Standard  Media Group, Kenya Seed Company, Amaco Insurance, APA Insurance, Kass  Fm, Kenya Power, I and M Bank and Kenya Cooperative Creameries.

Others are Reale Hospital, National Social Security Fund, National  Hospital Insurance Fun, Nandi County  Government, Kenya Pipeline and  sport apparel manufacturer NIKE among others.

Winners in all the categories will walk home with cash and material  rewards with the first 20 being in the reward brackets.

Athletics Kenya

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After Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge narrowly missed the World marathon record by the thickness of his fest in London in April, Kenyans return to Berlin this Sunday with Dennis Kimeto’s mark of 2:02.57 being threatened.

Prospects for new world mark will not be in doubt after the organizers of the annual extravaganza unveiled a classy line-up for the International Association of Athletics Federation Gold Label Road Race early this month that includes former record holder Wilson Kipsang.

The BMW Berlin Marathon, synonymous with World Records, has attracted the world fastest this year with Kipsang adding extra gas in his leg gearshift to reclaim the record from Kimeto.

However, it is the presence of Emmanuel Mutai and Ethiopia’s Tseggaye Mekonnen that is making the race mouth-watering with the former priding in a sweltering 2:03.13 he attained two years ago during the record-breaking mission with Kimeto.

“I have trained and selected my competitions with advice from my coaches. For now, I just want to run. What I know without contradicting myself is that the race will be fast,” said Mutai, who trains alongside Eliud Kipchoge in Kaptagat with Global Sports Communications.

Mekonnen, who will be making his marathon debut proper after running a searing 2:04.32 World junior record in 2014 at 19, could play the role of the dark horse as experienced Kipsang and Kenenisa Bekele captivate the eyes of the spectators.

Apart from Mutai, Mekonnen, Kipsang and Bekele, the Kenyan trio of Eliud Kiptanui, Vincent Kipruto and Evans Chebet will add colour to the Sunday challenge with their sub-2:06 scripts.

“We will watch a relatively bigger group in the lead this year given that there are a number of competitors capable of the kind of pace which will bring a time of under 2:04,” predicted Mark Milde, the Race Director, adding, depending on weather, times will be fast.

The women field will also be with the inclusion of two-times winner Aberu Kebede, who, apart from vast experience in the event, also boasts of a faster time in the call-up.

Kenyan Gladys Cherono will wrestle it out with Kebede as she aims at going a grade better from her last year’s world lead of 2:19.25 and also reclaim the title.

The two will be joined by the Ethiopian pair of Birhane Dibaba (2:22.30) and Beriso Amane (2:20.48) to make the category also very competitive.

Last year, Eliud Kipchoge’s dream of shattering the record failed to materialize after his preferred ‘Nike Streak 6’ shoe linings flipped outside, slowing him over first one kilometer into the race. He won the race, albeit under difficult circumstances, returning 2:04.01.

Kenyans have set the last three world records in a string with Patrick Makau chalking 2:03.38 from Haile Gebreselassie’s 2:03.59 before Wilson Kipsang and Dennis Kimeto lowered the mark to 2:03.23 and 2:02.57 respectively.

Athletics Kenya

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Kenyans across the country went into celebration frenzy on Tuesday and Wednesday morning after 800metres King David Rudisha and ever-winning Faith Kipyegon won the country the second and third gold medal before budding Consenslus Kipruto added the impetus with the fourth.

The much-awaited medals were deserving rewards to athletics fans that cut short their morning sleep to cheer their fellow Kenyans in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Olympic Games nears its climax.

Rudisha, also the reigning World Champion and World Record holder over the distant, successfully defended his London Olympic title with ease, clocking 1:42.15, after fellow Kenyan Alfred Kipketer took the competitors through the fast lap in a killer pace of 49.23.

“I feel honoured that many Kenyans stayed up late to watch this race. I want to thank them all and dedicate this victory to all of them. It is a great sacrifice,” said Rudisha, a traffic police officer after managing to win the title back to back.

As the country’s flag unfurled in the Brazilian city, back in the country, Rudisha’s victory was felt even by the lowly as his family, led by his wife Lizy Naanyu, distributed goodies to street children in Eldoret town, famous now as ‘The City of Champions’.

For Faith Kipyegon, a multiple title holder, winning Kenya’s third gold medal in Rio is an achievement that will catapult the former twice world cross-country junior champion as she becomes the second Kenyan in the history of the Olympics to win the title after Nancy Jebet Lagat in 2008 in Beijing.

But the climax of the 6th day of athletics competition was crowned by none other than Consenslus Kipruto who, after playing second fiddle to experienced veteran Ezekiel Kemboi in the water and barrier event, managed not only a gold medal but an Olympic record.

Consenslus, a Diamond League favourite, made an early move to break away from tactical and tricky Kemboi and enjoyed a celebrative 30metres gap and trashed Julius Kariuki’s 28-years old Olympic record of 8:05.51 that has been unmatched since Seoul Olympics in 1988.

The victories by the three bring the country’s medal tally to six- four gold and two silver medals since the Games begun a week ago.

Jemimah Sumgong was the first to open the gold medal column with a historic women Marathon triumph during the third day of athletics competitions.  Vivian Cheruiyot and Hyvin Kiyeng are the winners of the silver medals after finishing seconds in women’s 10,000metres and women 3,000metres Steeplechase respectively.

 
Kenya is optimistic of harvesting more medals this week as Boniface Mucheru, Aaron Koech compete in the men’s 400metres hurdles finals this evening.

Other events remaining include women 5,000m where ViVian Cheruiyot, Mercy Cherono and Hellen Obiri are favourites.

Asbel Kiprop, Elijah Manangoi and Ronald Kwemoi (1,500m) and marathon trio of Eliud Kipchoge, Stanley Biwott and Wesley Korir as well as the team of Margaret Nyairera, Eunice Sum and Winnie Chebet (800) are prospects for the precious medals.

Athletics Kenya

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Kenya realized her momentous occasion when Jemimah Sumgong wrote history by winning the country the first-ever gold medal in the women marathon during the third day of athletics competitions in the
on-going Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sumgong, also the winner of this year’s edition of London Marathon, ended the country’s drought for the coveted silverware when she out-witted determined Eunice Kirwa, now running for Bahrain, to win
the historic title in 2:24.04, throwing the country into a celebration crescendo on Sunday evening.

The historic marathon conquest had eluded Kenyans in the history of the Games after Catherine Ndereba and Prisca Jeptoo missed the opportunity during the 2004 and 2008 editions in Athens and Beijing.

“This was actually a defining moment for Kenya. Jemimah (Sumgong) has  broken the barrier that had kept the country thirsting for this medal that has been missing despite our athletes dominating in all big city marathons. It was a deserving victory,” remarked Coach Joseph Kirwa after watching the race from his house in Kenya.

The victory was celebrated by Kenyans in diverse fashion with majority taking to the social media to heap praises on the athlete for setting the precedence in areas that have never seen Kenyans bag the precious medal.

There were wild celebrations in most North Rift towns like Kapsabet, Nandi Hills, Mosoriot, Eldoret, Kaptagat and Iten after the win that has now rejuvenated the hope of the men’s marathon team of reclaiming Samuel Wanjiru’s 2008 title.

“We are seeing the men’s team of Eliud Kipchoge, Wesley Korir and Stanley Biwott doing even better after this. It has served as an inspiration to them,” said Bro Colm O’Connell, the country’s model of
athletics coaching.

The marathon gold medal came after Vivian Cheruiyot and Paul Tanui opened Kenya’s medal table with silver medals after the pair finished second in women and men 10,000 metres during the first and second day of athletics action of the Summer Olympics at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cheruiyot and Tanui lost to their unstoppable rivals Almaz Ayana and Mo Farah who have been having an upper hand over the Kenyans in big global competitions.

Kenya is expecting more gold medal this week when Hyvin Kiyeng, Beatrice Chepkoech and lucky Lydia Rotich take command in the women’s 3,000metres steeplechase and ‘King’ David Rudisha shepherd Ferguson Rotich and Alfred Kipketer in the finals of 800metres on Monday.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, more medals would be coming in the finals of women’s 1,500metres and men’s 3,000metres steeplechase, the country’s domain event, with Ezekiel Kemboi, Conseslus Kipruto and Brimin Kipruto leaving nothing to chance.

Athletics Kenya

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In the words of Nelson Mandela, the doyen of African history, Sport has the power to change the world….it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.

During the next two weeks, the sporting world will be speaking the same language as the 31st edition of Olympic Games takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The second contingent of Team Kenya, mainly track athletes, left the country on Sunday to join the first party that left earlier for the Quadra-annual sporting extravaganza that will bring together more than 200 National Olympic Committees in the Brazilian city.

As the larger team jetted out of the country, determination, confidence and resilient was manifested in the faces of every team member as each exhibited element of buoyancy ahead of these decorated competitions.

“We are confident of performing well in Rio. We have put a lot in the teamwork and training. We will follow the same script during the competitions,” said World 10,000metres champion Vivian Cheruiyot as she bid her family bye before leaving on Sunday.

Once again, Kenyans will put their difference aside as the nation unite and take pride in the exploits that our Kenyan Brand Ambassadors will do in marketing the country in the world through their patriotic performance particularly in the athletics discipline.

On Friday this week, Kenya would be expecting her maiden medals when World Champion Vivian Cheruiyot, Africa Champion Alice Aprot and Betsy Saina compete in the women’s 10,000metres.

Not to be underrated is also the pair of Samuel Gathiba and Simon Wachira who, after exhibiting unmatched performance in Africa Senior Championships in June this year, are medal prospects in the men’s 20Kilometres walk.

More medals will be will be on the way on Saturday night when athletics maestro Geoffrey Kamworor, fearless Bedan Karoki and revered and Paul Tanui utilize their energy and experience in the Men’s 10,000 metres final at 21.25 Pm.

Marathoners Jemimah Samgung, Visiline Chepkesho and Hellah Kiprop will be leaving nothing to chance on Sunday as they seek history by winning the country the coveted gold medal that has remained elusive in the country’s women marathon narration.

The country will remain in on tenterhooks mood with enthusiastic fans and the country in general cheer Team Kenya as our athletes unfurl the national flag in every event.

Athletics Kenya

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Two new road races were unveiled today as Safaricom announced a mouth-watering Sh80 million sponsorship for the 2016 Safaricom Athletics Series.

The Kericho Road Race and Tegla Peace Race have been included in Safaricom’s annual cocktail of races that also includes the Safaricom Deaf Marathon, Henry Wanyoike Run, Iten Half Marathon, Kisii Half Marathon and Mombasa Marathon.

Others are Nandi County’s Ndalat Gaa Cross Country, Madoka Marathon, Kass Marathon, Imenti South Road Race and the Kisumu Marathon.

The Safaricom Athletics Series is celebrating its fourth year with the Sh80 million sponsorship, presented to the Athletics Kenya executives, led by President Jack Tuwei at Safaricom House on Monday (May 23) covering direct sponsorship as well as marketing, merchandise and event support.

The sponsorship will also cover key Athletics Kenya calendar events, namely the National Athletic Championships that will be held at the Safaricom Stadium this weekend and the trials for the Rio Olympic Games which run on June 30 and July 1 at Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

The Deaf Athletics Championships will get Sh5 million while Olympic trials will be funded to a tune of Sh3 million and the road races will get a total of Sh16 million.

Track and field athletics meetings have been awarded the lion’s share of Sh22 million with the remaining Sh34 million going into logistics, prizes, marketing and other expenses.

Safaricom’s director of corporate affairs Steve Chege said it was an honour for the mobile telephone company to support a sport that produces world beaters.

“We are honoured to once again be in a position to create lasting positive impact by transforming lives of communities using sports people and we are excited about watching our sportsmen and women showcase their skills,” said Chege.

“Our athletes have consistently proven that they are a force to reckon with and we are committed to sponsoring sporting activities all over the country. Through this events, we are keen to discover and nurture new talent and at the same time give them a chance to use these local races to prepare for the big international events such as the Olympics.”

Athletics Kenya President Tuwei hailed the Safaricom for the sponsorship and for keeping faith in the association that has emerged stronger from turbulent times, including scathing attacks against Kenyan athletes allowing issues of doping to cloud Kenya’s flagship sport.

“We thank you for continued support. Yes, we are aware there have been a few wobbles here and there but I insist our athletes are very clean and I’m confident come the Olympics, we will do well,” said Tuwei.

The series will kick-off with this weekend’s National Championships that will also be trials for the Africa Championships to be held in the South African port city of Durban.

Safaricom Athletics Series schedule:

Deaf Marathon (May 31),

Henry Wanyoike Run (June 6),

Iten Half Marathon (August1),

Kisii Half Marathon (August 14),

Diamond Half Marathon (August 16),

National Deaf trials to Congo (August 19-20),

Mombasa Marathon (September 27),

Ndalat Gaa Cross Country (October 10),

Madoka Marathon (October 17),

Tegla Loroupe Peace race (November 9),

Kass Marathon (November 15),

Imenti South race (December 5),

Kisumu Marathon (December 13).

Athletics Kenya

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The local Track Competitions draws to a close this weekend after all the Athletics Kenya affiliated regions conclude their championships ahead of the national showbiz next week.

The Central Region will stage their final selections at the Thika Municipal on Thursday and Friday while Nairobi region assembles at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday before the annual mouth-watering national-cum Africa selection from the 26th to 28th this month.

These are among the last regions to pick their teams after the selection deadline last week that saw the Central Rift, the Universities and the North Rift stage their championships last weekend.

The Kenya Defense Forces, Kenya Police Service and The Kenya Prisons were the first sides to conclude their national championships as athletes begun fighting for tickets to represent the country in the Africa Championships in Durban and the Rio Olympics.

 Other regions that are expected to hold their championships includes Eastern, Nyanza North and South, Coast, Southern and Western as well as the South Rift.

The grass-root competitions were preceded by six Athletics Kenya Premium Track and Field Weekend Meetings that aided the athletes in their build-up and in fine-tuning their training during the months of February, March and April.

The six-leg series were held in Bondo in Nyanza North, Mumias in Western, Thika in Central, Nakuru in the South Rift Region, Kisii in Nyanza South and Eldoret in the Central Rift with team prospects taking part in their respective races.

With the International Association of Athletics Federation World Challenge and Diamond League already in progress, the national championships is a pre-requisite for the July Olympic trial and all those training their sight on the quadrennial  games will be forced to forego the money-minting Meetings in order to be counted at home.

So far, World champions Asbel Kiprop, Hyvin Kiyeng, David Rudisha and Ezekiel Kemboi have appeared in Doha and Shanghai with mixed results.

The process for Kenya’s participation in the Rio Olympic Games has kicked off with Athletics Kenya naming a provisional marathon squad to the prestigious championships. Continue reading →

16 Diamond League greats Eunice Sum and Jairus Birech displayed good forms with victories at conclusion of the last Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend Meeting in Eldoret after winning in their respective specialties.

Birech beat more than 130 athletes in the men`s 10,000metres final during the last day of the 3-day track and field competitions after competing in 1500 and 5,000metres preliminaries at Kipchoge Stadium.

The 3,000metres steeplechaser clocked 28:35.7 to finish ahead of Peter Emase and Amos Bitok who managed second and third positions in 28:50.2 and 29:16.0 respectively.

The absence of three-time World 1,500metrers champion Asbel Kiprop did not water down performance in the middle distant events as Timothy Cheruiyot and new comer Kipyegon Bett entertained the spectators with equal gusto.

Timothy won the 1,500metres after timing 3:36.8. Edwin Kiptoo closed in second in 3:38.3 while Mathew Kiptanui finished third in 3:38.7.

In 800metres, Kipyegon took charge of the two-lap event, sprinting in 1:46.3 to beat Bernard Benson and Boaz Kiprugut who were second and third in 1:47.2 and 1:47.5.

New revelation Emmanuel Kipsang took the 5,000metres title after covering the 12 and half circuit in 13:44.1. The second and third positions were claimed by Fredrick Kipkosgei and Nixon Chepseba who timed 13:50.3 and 13:57.0.

The steeplechase crown went to little known John Koech who chalked 8:36.9 for the victory with Justus Kiprotich (8:38.5) and Vincent Rutto (8:47.4) for the podium finish.

Although most gold medalists skipped the last day of the championships, the presence of Eunice Sum in the women line up was an inspiration to many upcoming athletes.

Sum, like Birech who are warming up for the International Association of Athletics Federations Diamond League Circuit, won the 800metres in 2:03.2 to confirm she was the queen of event.

Veteran Silvia Chesebe and upcoming Agly Nalianya were second and third in 2:4.4 and 2:04.8 while Sudan´s Alawiaya Mackie followed in 2:08.2.

The championship also witnessed the coming back of 2007 All Africa Games Steeplechase champion Ruth Bosibori who eclipsed opponents with 9:58.8 victory. Gladys Kemboi and Ann Gathoni finished second and third in 10:01.8 and 10:22.1.

In the sprints, Maureen Jelagat dominated her specialty, winning 100 and 400m hurdles before adding another title in the 400metre flat. She timed 59.1 to beat Jane Chege who managed 60.5. Priscilla Tabunda was position 3 in 61.0.

Eunice Kadogo and Peter Mwai controlled the 100metre dash with impressive 10.1 hand-timing and 11.5 respectively.

Before the competitions came to an end, javelin maestro Julius Yego warmed the field with a 78.86 metres throw to kick-start his season competition programe since winning the World title in Beijing last year.

The second best throw came from Gilbert Bett who did 69.67 while Nicholas Kosgei thew 62.85 to finish third during the competition sponsored by Athletics Kenya and organized by Athletics Kenya Central Rift.

The Eldoret Meeting concluded the six-tier series that started in Bondo before moving to Mumias, Thika, Nakuru and Kisii.
Athletics Kenya

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The pointer to what would be expected during the Rio Olympic trials will be enacted this weekend when the last Athletics Kenya pre-competition Meeting takes place in Eldoret from Thursday morning.

In the region synonymous with running, the three days activities is being keenly awaited with baited interests with track coaches parading their best as the build-up to the August Summer Olympics engages the top gear.

And for the second time in the region’s athletics history, the build-up stopper will be held on the tartan after Kipchoge Stadium was upgraded to international standards last year.

The track and field activities, to be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will be overwhelming with the county’s top brass taking to the new track to up their speed ahead of the grass root competitions that will launch the programme for the Africa Athletics Championships in June and the Olympic Games in August.

According to Central Rift Athletics Kenya officials, preparations for the competitions, the last of the six-tier series, have been finalized and both the athletes and spectators are expected in their thousands.

“All is set for the 6th Athletics Kenya Weekend Contest. Most of our top class and up-and-coming runners will be participating in both the track and field events. This will be their last local competition before the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Diamond Meeting and subsequent League in Europe,” said Central Rift Region AK Secretary Kennedy Tanui.

As witnessed in Nakuru during the 4th Meeting of the calendar, multiple champions Asbel Kiprop, Paul Kipsiele, Nixon Chepseba, Silas Kiplagat, Viola Kibiwott, Mercy Cherono, Vivian Cheruiyot, Margaret Nyairera, Eunice Sum and dozens elite athletes have been training for the Meeting and heated rivalry from new competitors known to cause upsets during local competitions cannot be ruled out.

Borrowing from the history of the affiliate that prides in accommodating the highest concentration of top class athletes in the world, an unpredicted number will throng the North Rift town, baptized ‘The City of Champions’ and the programme must be re-designed to accommodate the number of heats particularly in the middle distant events.

“We have put into considerations the great number that may turn up especially on the first day. We are going to have several heats and semis and officials who are going to man the event must be thorough and fast. We must do our best. The track is fine and in good conditions,” added Barnabas Kitilit, the Central Rift AK Vice-chairman.

During the last excursion in Kisii at the beginning of the month, a world class field decorated the competitions despite the venue, initially attracting the top cream owing to its fast time returns, turning away the best last year including 800metres World record holder David Rudisha.

The upgrading of Kipchoge Stadium to the international specification has shift the trend of national competitions and boosted training of a number of athletes who use the region’s high altitude during their preparations.

This is the first public tartan facility in Kenya outside the capital. Kenya-turn Dutch Lornah Kiplagat has put a similar track in Iten, some 32kilometres North East of Eldoret but runs it as private facility.

Eldoret is going to be last build-up competitions after the five meetings that saw athletes compete in Bondo in Nyanza North, Mumias in Western, Thika in Central Region, Nakuru in the South Rift and Kisii in Nyanza South.

Athletics Kenya

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It was the greatest Easter gift for Kenyans after World Cross-country champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Peris Chepchirchir once again put the country on top of the World after winning the World Marathon titles in Cardiff in a classical style.

Kamworor, who was defending the crown he won in 2014, overcame the frustrations of a near-fall at the beginning of the race and tackled the hard course brilliantly as his running partner Bedan Karoki paced him though to return 59:09 amidst hostile weather conditions at the end.

Athletics fans in Rift Valley and Central Kenya, who were watching the championships keenly, burst in ululations and dance as the champion and Karoki tactically duped Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia with a triangular sprint that saw the opponent unable to keep the pace.

Despite the fall of Kamworor at the gun before loosing his white cap, the hard-fighting and smart-running star did not allow the mishap to weigh him down as he regained his footing and took strategic position in the leading pack as Karoki did the donkey work of setting high pace.

“I was trying to get up, but people kept coming from behind me. It was very difficult will all those people struggling to move forward,” said Kamworor of his fall in a post-race interview.

But more was in store as the two took control of the 21kilometres race and it was difficult to discern who was likely to take the lead between the two although it was Kamworor who, as defending champion, had the last gas for the deciding kick.

“That was a timely move by the two Kenyans. It caught the Ethiopian, who had stuck with Kenyans after the front battle was reduced to three antagonists, unaware. Before he realized the trick, the Kenyans had gone,” observed Coach Francis Kamau, who trains Karoki in Nyahururu.

In Kapsabet where fan had flocked at Tortoise Resort, an entertainment joint owned by Wilfred Bungei, the 2008 Olympics 800metres champion, screams rented the air as the team received wild cheers after the winners hit the tape before being received by Kennedy Tanui, one of the team officals.

Although the battle was expected to be between Kamworor and Great Britain’s Mo Farah, it was reduced to the two Kenyans who run shoulder-to-shoulder after the 15th kilometer until Kamworor, also the World 10,000metres silver medalist, pulled away from Karoki during the last kilometre as the leaders tackled wet and windy conditions before the victory.

But the men’s ending could not replicate the women’s 1-2-3 podium sweep after Farah, who was the Kenyan’s main headache, overtook Raymond Cheprot over the last 500metres and sprinted with two Ethiopians and relegated the Kenyan to the 6th position as two other Team members Edwin Kipyego and namesake Edwin Kiptoo fought from behind.

Farah took the bronze medal ahead of Abayeh Ayele and Tamirat Tola who arrived fourth and fifth with spirited sprints to the crossing line. It was sweet victory for the country as they celebrate Easter this year after the trio of Peris Chepchirchir, Cynthia Limo and Mary Wacera tamed the Ethiopian pair of Netsanet Gudeta and Genet Yalew to claim the first three places, bagging the top three medals beforetaking the overall crown.

Gladys Chesir and Pascalia Jepkorir winded up 6th and 7th to revenge on Kenyan’s mixed results during last week World Indoor championship were Kenya won two bronze medals through Augustine Choge and Margaret Nyairera in 3,000metres and 800metres.

The team which also took the two overall titles, arrived back In the country on Monday at 2:30Pm and will be received with jubilations characteristics with previous victorious teams.

An eleven-member team has been selected for the World Indoor Games slated from 17th to 20th of March this year in Portland, United States of America. Continue reading →

World half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor and the World Half-Marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat will be leading Team Kenyan to the International Association of Athletics Federation World Championship next month. Continue reading →

The war for supremacy between World Cross Country Champion Geoffrey Kamworor and his friend-turn rival Bedan Karoki Muchiri was the climax of the 21st International Association of Athletics Federations Permit/National Championships at Uhuru Gardens on Saturday.

Karoki, who has won the national title three times in succession, was eclipsed by the tactical Kamworor, also the World Half marathon Champion, 30 metres to the finish line in the senior men’s 8kilometres race that concluded the competitions.

Although the script was weighing between the two cross-country giants, Karoki, who is based in Japan but trains in Nyahururu, was the pre-race favourite after outstripping Kamworor during the 25th edition of Discovery Kenya meeting in Eldoret a fortnight ago, his winning tricks failed him at the finish.

“I was sure of defending the title from the beginning. I am in good form and it is unfortunate to loose. I made a mistake of kicking too early and running with the pack,” said Karoki who was running for Central Athletics Kenya Region.

It was a skillful running by Kamwowor who remained sandwiched in the leading group as Karoki employed fartlek mode of speed-play before making the plunder of sprinting while he could not sustained the tempo.

The winner, who was running for Police and is presently focusing on defending the World Half Marathon title on March 26th in Gardiff, Great Britain, won the race in 28:19.6 surpassing Karoki who trailed in 28:24.3 in the race started by Inspector General Joseph Boinet and athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei.

Leonard Barsoton, also of Kenya Police Service, retained his third position after stopping the clock in 28:26.8 while new comer Charles Mneria Yosei of Nairobi came fourth after crossing in 28:28.6.

In women, Africa 10,000metres champion Alice Aprot found no worth challenger in the upgraded 10kilometres, convincingly winning the race with a one minute 15 seconds gap ahead of her opponents.

“My shape has been good since last year and I am looking forward to a lot this season. My main goal is to qualify for the Olympics (Games) and I trust I will make it,” said the now grown up runner after making a persuasive come-back from injury last year.

Since discovering the winning secrets in Brazzaville in September, Aprot, from the Joseph Ebuya (2011 World Champion) siblings, has won all the races she has started in including 2015 Kass 10kilometres, Tuskys Wareng cross-country and IAAF Permit in San Giogiosu, Italy, on January 6th this year.

She chalked 31:13.2 for the victory with marathoner Beatrice Mutai finishing more than 400metres behind in 32:28.2. Sheila Chepkirui (32:34.0), Daisy Chepkemei (32:41.6) and Janet Kisa (32:48.4), who finished third last year, took third, fourth and fifth positions during the championships that pulled hundreds of spectators.

In the junior class, SandraFelis Chebet of Nairobi covetously safeguarded her unbeaten tradition when she classically won the junior women crown while little known Nickson Kiplagat, also from Nairobi, won the junior women.

The frontrunners prevailed in 18:48.2 and 22:45.9 in the championships held at the historic Uhuru Gardens and attended by athletes from eight foreign countries that included Merhawit Ghide medin and Maele Zerit Weldemariam of Eritrea and Abubakar Abdalla and Fathi Ahmed Adam from Sudan.

Other foreign nationals in the competitions were Gabriele Gerald and Angelina Daniel Tsere of Tanzania, Regassa Bogale and Yigerem Demelash from Ethiopia, Ndiho Vienney (Burundi),  and Muhitira Felicien of Rwanda.

The culmination of the competitions was the selection of the national cross-country team that will represent Kenya during the 4th Africa championships in Yaounde, Cameroon on 12th of March this year.

Leading Results;

Senior Men 10Km

1. Geoffrey Kamworor (Police) 28:19.6
2. Bedan Karoki (Central) 28:24.3
3. Leonard Barsoton (Police) 28:26.8
4. Charles Mneria (Nairobi) 28:28.6
5. Philip Langat (South Rift) 28:29.1
6. James Rungari (South Rift) 28:36.0
7. Peter Ng’eno (Universities) 28:39.9
8. John Maina (Central) 28:46.4
9. Bernard Waweru (Central) 28:50.3
10. James Mwangi (Central) 28:54.9

Senior Women 10km

1. Alice Aprot (Nairobi) 31:13.2
2. Beatrice Mutai (South Rift) 32:28.2
3. Sheila Chepkirui (KDF) 32:34.0
4. Daisy Jepkemei (North Rift) 32:41.6
5. Janet Kisa (Police) 32:48.4
6. Hyvin Kiyeng (Police) 32:51.0
7. Pauline Korikwiang (KDF) 32:51.6
8. Nancy Nzisa (Prisons) 32:56.4
9. Pauline Kaveke (Prisons) 32:58.0
10. Monica Ngigi (Central) 33:00.6

Junior Men 8Km

1. Nickson Kiplagat (Nairobi) 22:45.9
2. Andrew Lorot (Nairobi) 22:47.0
3. Isaac Kipsang (Nairobi) 22:49.1
4. Willy Kwemoi (North Rift) 22:54.6
5. Alfred Ng’eno (South Rift) 23:00.6
6. Ronald Kiprotich (South Rift) 23:09.1
7. Anthony Kiptoo (Nyanza North) 23:12.0
8. Wesley Ledama (South Rift) 23:17.0
9. Rhonzas Lokitany (Central Rift) 23:17.4
10. Elijah Kositany (South Rift) 23:21.3.

Junior Women 6Km

1. Sandrafelis Chebet (Nairobi) 18:48.2
2. Miriam Cherop (South Rift) 19:12.0
3. Lucy Cheruiyot (Central Rift) 19:12.7
4. Gloria Kite (Central Rift) 19:17.4
5. Winfred Mbithe (Southern) 19:23.3
6. Lilian Lengeruk (North Rift) 19:28.0
7. Anne Nyagothie (South Rift) 19:31.6
8. W W (Central) 19:37.1
9. Brenda Jepleting (Central Rift) 19:38.7
10. Emily Chebet (Nairobi) 19:41.1

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

A riveting battle awaits when some of the world’s best cross country athletes face-off in men’s 10km race at the Kenya National Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki, who staged a 1-2 performance at the 2015 World Cross Country in China renew their rivalry in a race that has attracted both experienced and upcoming athletes from the region.

The athletes met at last year’s National Cross Country Championships where Karoki retained the title with Kamworor finishing second to set the stage for the World Cross in Guiyang.  Kamworor would claim sweet revenge, winning gold as Karoki settled for silver. 

They returned to China for the Beijing World Championships last year where Kamworor took for silver as Karoki wound fourth in the 10,000m race.

Kamworor retained Kenya Police Service Cross title a month ago at Ngong Racecourse, while Japan-based Karoki was given a wild card in Central region team, having missed their competition.

Kamworor and Karoki have expressed their desire to represent Kenya at the World Half Marathon championships planned for March 26 in Cardiff, Wales. Kamworor is the defending champion.

The duo met at the 25th edition of the Discovery Cross Country race where Karoki carried the day as Kamworor failed to finish the race.

Athletics Kenya will used the IAAF Permit race to select the team for the Africa Cross Country Championships slated for March 12 this year in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

“This is the king of challenge I always aspire and it makes me feel great meeting some of the finest field in the world,” said Kamworor, who promised a front-running assault. “I shall target victory from the front and I will be happy to meet my great Karoki and the rest against.”

Kamworor said he is looking forward to a more eventful 2016 after a good 2015 season.“It will be a fascinating battle again and I hope to edge out my good friend Kamworor again,” said Karoki. “I hope we shall again form the explosive partnership at the World Half Marathon if selected.”

Kamworor leads a strong Kenya Police team that has  the 2013 World Junior silver medallist Leonard Barsaton, who is also the African Games 10,000m silver medallist.

Japan-based Barsaton, who is the reigning Africa Cross Country champion, has was given a wild card after Augustine Choge and Asbel Kiprop, who finished second and third in Police Cross requested to been left out.

Also in Police team are the 2013 National champion Philemon Rono, the 2012 Africa Cross champion Clement Lagat, Peter Kirui and Joseph Kitun. Karoki’s Central team has little-known John Maina, Bernard Waweru, George Waiyaki, Paul Mutero and Paul Maina.

They are up against equally good Kenya Prisons, Kenya Defence Forces and regional teams what with Ethiopia and Eritrea sending quality sides too. The two Kenya’s world arch-rivals are part of six regional nations that will have representatives at the race.

Yigerem Demelash, the 2012 World Junior 10,000metres champion, and Birhan Mihretu from Ethiopia will spice up the men’s 10km race. Demelash ran 1:09:38 at the Hague Half Marathon last year and finished fifth at the 2012 Great Ethiopian 10km run.

Vincent Rono, who won Prisons Cross, the 2014/2015 AK Cross Country Series champion Cornelius Kangongo, who is the Africa Cross silver medalllst, and 2014 Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jonathan Muya head Prisons pack.

The 2011 Africa Cross Country champion John Mwangangi, who is also the 2012 World Half Marathon bronze medallist and Philip Langat lead Southern Region attack.

KDF team has their 10,000m and 10,000m champion Emmanuel Kipsang, who also won the Force’s Cross, Machakos leg of the AK Cross Country winner Stephen Arita and Geoffrey Kirui.

Seasoned Hosea Macharinyang, who has represented Kenya in three World Cross leads North Rift team while experienced runners Robert Mang’ata and Mopses Kororia form Western region team.

Africa Cross junior silver medallist Andrew Lorot and Africa Youth 2,000m steeplechase silver medallist Edwin Kibet from Nairobi are the men to watch out in men’s junior 8km race.

Athletics Kenya

Media And Communications

More than fifteen foreign athletes from eight nations are in the country preparing to compete along Kenyans during the last International Association of Athletics Federation Permit Cross-Country-cum national championships in Nairobi this Saturday. Continue reading →

The Nike Discovery Kenya Half Marathon marked its Silver Jubilee in Eldoret with Abeth Kangogo and Edith Chelimo becoming the latest discoveries in the 25th year-old road race. Continue reading →

Three important athletics competitions are on the card this weekend with athletes trouping to Mau-Egerton University for the annual Egerton University Cross Country. Continue reading →

World cross-country silver medalist Bedan Karoki stunned fans and fellow athletes after annihilating opponents in a star-laded field during the Silver Jubilee anniversary of Discovery Kenya Cross Country on Sunday in Eldoret. Continue reading →

Eldoret Sports Club will be overflowing with humanity when more than 2,000 athletes take to the field during the 25th anniversary of Discovery Kenya Cross Country on Sunday morning as the event marks its Silver Jubilee this year. Continue reading →

The National Police Service National Cross-country championship lived up to its hyping with trendy Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor and Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot firing the winning shoots. Continue reading →

Cross-country competitions will be taking a decisive turn this week when two of the sixteen Athletics Kenya branches run their national championships in Thika and in Nairobi to kick-start competition proper. Continue reading →

Athletics Kenya (AK) and the National Olympic Committee (NOCK)held a joint meeting on 5th January 2016 to discuss the preparations for the Rio Olympics that will be held later in the month of August. The team of top officials from both organizations were led by the President AK Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei and President NOCK Dr. Kipchoge Keino. The meeting discussed key areas including the quota for the athletes for team Kenya, the National trials, Residential Camp, International Competition calendar for athletes, eligibility and qualification period, the Marathon team, accreditation among other areas of focus.

The accreditation process for athletes who will take part in Rio 2016 has already started and will be closed on 29th March 2016. The Sports entries for Kenya will close on 15th June 2016. The meeting also agreed that the advance party for Rio 2016 will depart from Nairobi on 20th August 2016.

Commenting on the meeting the President AK Gen. Rtd Jackson Tuwei noted that this was a very important meeting to plan ahead and ensure that team Kenya was well prepared to represent Kenya in the best way possible and avoid challenges that were faced during the London 2012 Games.

Dr. Kipchoge Keino commended the AK leadership and urged all officials to work together for the Youth of this country and enhance the performance of Team Kenya during the Rio Olympics.

Athletics Kenya

Media and Communications

World Youth sensation Sandra Chebet confirmed her cross-country preeminence after chalking her 4th straight victory during the last Athletics Kenya Cross Country Meeting at Kabianga University grounds on Saturday. Continue reading →

The Seven Cross-country  series heads for the homestretch with the curtain coming down this Saturday at Kabianga Universty in Sotik in the South Rift Athletics Kenya Region. Continue reading →

Athletics action resume this weekend where Kapsokwony High School in Mt Elgon will play host to the 6th Athletics Kenya Cross-Country Meeting on Saturday Continue reading →

Seasonal Cross-country stars Nancy Nzisa and Eunice Kioko will be the star attraction when Machakos host the last Athletics Kenya Premium off-road contest of the year this Saturday. Continue reading →

Javelin maestro Julius Yego and 10,000 metres queen Vivian Cheruiyot are the Male and Female Athletes of the Year 2015 after the pair were crowned during the 2015 Athletes Gala on Thursday evening. Continue reading →

As the Old Holy Book says…..there is time for everything….time to plant and time to harvest…..time to cry and time to laugh……

These encouraging verses will play out tomorrow when the Athletics community gathers in Nairobi with the singular objective of toasting the superlative performance by individual athletes during the 2015 sporting calendar.

Glasses will chime as the best receive accolades for flying the country’s flag high in various competition this year during the 5^th Athletics Kenya Golden Gala to be held at Safari Park Hotel starting at 18.30 to 22.30 pm after the rite were skipped last year.

“The finest will be known during the red carpet ceremony that seek to reward Kenya’s top performing athletes on the night where the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi will be the chief Guest,” said a member of the event Local Organizing Committee.

During occasion, Six of the country’s most celebrated athletes will be battling it out for Male’s top award. They includes World champions Julius Yego (Javelin), Ezekiel Kemboi (3,000m Steeplechase), Nicholas Bett (400m Hurdles), Asbel Kiprop (1,500m), David Rudisha (800m) and World Cross Country Champion and World 10,000m Silver medalist Geoffrey Kamworor.

The self-made Yego broke the National record four times besides setting a new IAAF Diamond League record on his way to winning the World title, becoming the first Kenyan to ever win such title in the Field event.

The champion started the season with victory at the IAAF Challenge in Ostrava with a national record throw of 86.88, finished second at Roma Diamond League with an improved performance of 87.71metres before claiming his maiden Diamond League win in Birmingham with a record-breaking 91.39metres.

Yego later went for the World title in Beijing during the 15th IAAF World Championships in a massive throw of 92.72m that counted for the new African record, and the third all-time best throw in history of the Javelin.

On the other hand, the never fading Ezekiel Kemboi asserted his status as the undisputable Monarch of steeplechase, chalking an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory at the Worlds after the 2009 Berlin, 2011 Daegu and 2013 Moscow while stylish  Nicholas Bett astonished many when he won the 400m hurdles, the first World title by Kenyan in the sprints.

Asbel Kiprop, also the 2008 Olympic champion, ran the third fastest time in history in 1,500m when he won in Monaco in 3:26.69, missing the world record of 3:26.00 by Hicham El Guerrouj by a whisker. He went on to complete a hat trick by claiming the World title for the third time over the distant in Beijing.

Competing for the Male Athlete of The Year against Yego, Kemboi, Bett and Kiprop is David Rudisha. The world record holder made a resounding come-back to reclaim his 800m world title while Kamworor performance revolve across the board, winning the World Cross country a silver title in 10,000metres in the World Championships.

Whereas it may seem easy to pick the Male stand-out, it will be interesting to see whether Berlin Marathon champion Glady Cherono and World Cross Country queen Agnes Jebet have what it takes to edge out four other nominees for the Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Cherono has the best all time average after she finished second in 2:20:03 in Dubai Marathon on her debut over the distance before winning in Berlin with personal best of 2:19:25.

Others in the category are Vivian Cheruiyot, who made a great return from maternity break to reclaim her World 10,000m, World champion Hyvin Kiyeng (3,000m steeplechase) and World silver medalists Hela Kiprop (marathon) and Eunice Sum (800m).

Kumari taki, who won the World Youth, Africa Youth and Commonwealth Youth 1,500m titles, World and Africa Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Vincent Kipyegon and World Youth 800m gold medalist Willy Tarbei are some of the nominees for the Young Athlete of the Year-Male Accolade.

Also in the frontline are World Youth 3,000m Champion Richard Yator and Africa Youth triple jump champion Vincent Kilel.

Damaris Akoth who won Kenya silver in 100m at the Africa Youth, World Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol, World Youth 3,000 silver medalist Emily Chebet and World 2,000m steeplechase silver medalist Sandra Chebet, who is also the Africa champion are in the Lady’s ring.

Other categories to be awarded are Long Distance Athlete, Field Athlete and Cross Country Award of the year for both Men and Women during the ceremony dubbed ‘On Top of the World 2015.’

Two recipients will be bestowed with the Outstanding Performance of the Year (Male and Female) with one being recognized for the Come-back Athlete of the Year. A dozen legends of the past will also be indicted into the Hall of Fame.

2015 Gala Final nominees;

1. Athlete of the Year

 Male

Julius Yego, Ezekiel Kemboi, Nicholas Bett, Asbel Kiprop, David Rudisha, Geoffrey Kamworor

 Female

Agnes Jebet, Vivian Cheruiyot, Hyvin Kiyeng, Hela Kiprop, Eunice Sum, Gladys Cherono

2. Young Athlete of the –

Male

Kumari Taki, Vincent Kipyegon, Willy Tarbei, Vincent Kilel, Richard Yator

Female-

Celliphine Chespol, Emily Chebet, Sandra Chebet, Damaris Akoth

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communications

Internationals Pauline Korikwiang and junior star Sandra Felis Chebet were the toast of the 2nd Athletics Kenya Premium Cross Country Meeting after producing exciting performance when the series reverted to the cradle of running. Continue reading →

Multiple World Champion Ezekiel Kemboi, 800metres World Record holder David Rudisha and flexible marathon runners Eliud Kipchoge, Mary  Keitany and Florence headline the list of nominees for this year’s Athletics Gala that is taking place on Thursday next week. Continue reading →

A Jaw-dropping and cut-throat performance is in the offing this weekend as the cross-country Premium competitions move to the ‘Home of Champions’ where tough terrain and challenging weather conditions welcomes the participants this Saturday.

The breathtaking antagonism scheduled to take place at the hilly landscape of Iten Township, will also see the seven-tie cross country running take a critical shape with elite class taking both active and passive roles.

Parallels will be drawn with hunters likely becoming the hunted when the exclusive meet their equals in new athletics new-borns out to cut their teeth in the jig-saw with unpredicted performance.

For the umpteenth time, the cross country race will be held in an environment synonymous with the sport as it will mutate St Patrick’s High School playing grounds, an institution renowned for fostering sports talents, into an arena of its own kind.

“This time, we have shifted the competitions from the traditional Iten playing field because of the prevailing weather conditions. Part of the trails in the field is waterlogged and not serviceable at the moment,” said Elgeyo Marakwet Country Sports Officer George Obumba.

The Iten bonanza, the fourth in the register of seven, comes after three other editions that have been held in Nairobi, Embu and Nyahururu with distinguished runners gracing the meetings.

“As it has been the tradition, we have endorsement from our World Champions, Commonwealth Games Champions and not forgetting those who have won big races here and abroad. This is their home and they will not let their fans down,” North Rift Athletics Kenya Chairman Maj. Rtd Michael Rotich said in Nairobi on Tuesday.

World 1,500metres champion Asbel Kiprop, Africa 10,000metres queen Alice Aprot will lead the elite cast out to shake off their training ahead of the coming season that awaits stiff rivalry as the jostling for the national slots to various championships matures.

The 4th Athletics Kenya Premium cross-country will have the usual four race classifications with junior women competing in 6kilometres, junior men 8Km, senior women 8Km and senior men doing the now reduced

10kilometres.

Cleophas Ng’etich and Caroline Chepkoech are the leading lights in the senior races after winning two competitions apart in Nairobi, Kangaru and Nyahururu.

Other notable contestants among the seniors includes Dominic Kiptarus who won in Nairobi and came second in Nyahururu and Sheila Chepkirui, the run-away victor in Embu and finished third in Nyahururu last weekend.

In the junior classes, Alfred Ng’eno, Cyrus Loikong and Andrew Lorot have claimed a first each in Nairobi, Embu and Nyahururu while Sandra Chebet, Cecilia Maria and Ivyn Chepkemoi have topped in Nairobi, Embu and Nyahururu respectively.

But the matrix will be subjected to change in Iten when reigning apprentices seek to move to the senior ranks and novices training at the annual St Patrick’s Junior Camp throw their competition mantles into the race.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Competition

Athletics Kenya Cross Country build-up scaled a new height in Nyahururu over the weekend with Cleophas Ng’etich and Caroline Chepkoech securing their second victories in the seven chain series. Continue reading →

Preparations for the 3rd Premium Athletics Kenya Cross Country have been completed in Nyahururu where there will be no love lost when giants meet their match during the weekend Meeting. Continue reading →

As Napoleon Hill once said, Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything. Continue reading →

Despite hostile weather conditions and challenging terrain, Cleophas Ngetich and Sheila Chepkurui returned with victories in the second Athletics Kenya Weekend cross-country in Embu. Continue reading →

Internationals Caroline Chepkoech and Sandra Chebet maintained their winning scripts as rookie Dominic Kiptarus discovered himself during the first Athletics Kenya Cross Country Meeting in Nairobi on Saturday. Continue reading →

Kenya has responded to the current debate on doping by outlining the measures being taken to curb the menace that is threatening to soil the country’s number one sporting discipline. Continue reading →

The Seven-tier Cross-country sequences unfold this weekend with the Nairobi Metropolis taking the primary honour of hosting more than 600 athletes at the traditional Posta Grounds on Saturday morning. Continue reading →

The TSC 2015 New York marathon competition script did not stretch beyond imagination as Kenyans uphold the winning tradition with Mary Keitany and Stanley Biwott extending the dominancy in the race. Continue reading →

The format for the selection of the national Marathon teams that will fly the country’s flag in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro has been changed. Continue reading →

Since its inception in 2003, the Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon has maintained a steady trend of revealing hitherto unknown athletics potentials and continues to add great value to the production line. Continue reading →

Human traffic will gridlock parts of Nairobi City when over 20,000 participants take over the streets to run and compete during the annual Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon on Sunday morning. Continue reading →

The 10th edition of Marsden Madoka Half Marathon lived up to its billing after cross-country prodigious John Mwangangi and imminent Winfrida Moseti fascinated athletics fans with unequaled victories over the weekend.

Mwangangi headed a high profile line-up of fellow cross country professionals Hosea Macharinyang, Hosea Nailel and Nicholas Kipkemboi during the Saturday road grooming to ascend the rostrum first despite solid rivalry.

“The course was a bit slippery after the overnight rain and I had to rain cautiously to avoid sliding. But I had to keep the pace with others. It was tougher this year because of big names coming,” said the champion after securing the second crown over the event after winning in 2009.

Mwangangi, who is based in Machakos, Southern Region, strode to victory in one hour six minutes to pocket the top prize of Ksh250, 000 while his close opponent Nicholas Kipkemboi followed in one hour six minutes and fifty-eight seconds to claim Sh100, 000.

Cross-country great Hosea Macharinyang, who finished second during the 5th Laikipia University Half Marathon early this month, came third, clocking 1:07.00 during the Safaricom Sponsored race held at Ngerenyi Farmers Training Centre in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta.

Hosea Nailel, Ismael Kalale and Michael Chesire followed in that order after finishing in 1:07.24, 1:07.28 and 1:08.33 during the event witnessed by Sports Cabinet secretary Hassan Wario.

The women race category was used as the launching pad for upcoming with 19-years old Winfrida Moseti taking the steering wheel of success.

Moseti, from Kisii in Nyanza South region, triumphed after attacking the not-so easy course in one eighteen minutes and twenty-three seconds to claim the top reward.

“This race has acted as my moral booster as I focus on bigger things to come. I intend to win 10,000metres at the next year’s Olympic trials,” announced the youth champion.

Moseti, who trains with Keroka Sports Camp, was followed a minute later by Lucy Cheruiyot from Central Rift who clocked 1:19.23 while Eunice Kioko of Southern and Agnes Jepkogsei (South Rift) returned 1:19.27 and 1:19.34 for third and fourth.

Madoka Half Marathon, an initiative of former Cabinet Minister and Amateur Boxing Chair Marsden Madoka, is the second high profile athletics event that is annually hosted by the Coast Region after The Mombasa International Marathon that was held on 27th of September.

Top Results

Men Half Marathon:

1. John Mwangangi 1:06.00

2. Nicholas Kipkemboi 1:06.58

3. Hosea M Macharinyang 1:07.00

4. Hosea Nailel 1:07.24

5. Ismael Kalale 1:07.28

6. Michael Chesire 1:08.33

7. Dominic Kimwetich 1:08.58

8. Philemon Kacherian 1:09.28

9. Leonard Kipkoech 1:09.31.

10. Simon Muturi 1:10.0

Women

1. Winfrida Moset 1:18.23

2. Lucy Cheruiyot 1:19.23

3. Eunice Kioko 1:19.27

4. Agnes Jepkosgei 1:19.34

5. Chepng’eno Langat 1:19.59

6. Maryanne Wangari 1:20.21

7. Susan Kosgei 1:20.49

8. Risper Chebet 1:21.29

9. Helen Nzembi 1:22.00

10. Judy Chebet 1:22.41.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Competitions

The Kenya Athletics Federation has released the new National and International Calendar of events that is crowded with competition activities tailored towards the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in Brazil  during the month of August Next year. Continue reading →

The 10th edition of the annual Marsden Madoka Half Marathon has enticed over 1,500 participants with more than 150 elite runners signing for the 21kilometres race this year. Continue reading →

This past weekend, world athletics was heavily dominated by Kenyan athletes. Both locally and internationally, Kenyan runners especially marathoners showed their prowess in their respective events.

These events were:

NDALAT GAA KIDS CROSS COUNTRY: ELDORET, KENYA.

Locally all roads led to Ndalat Gaa in Eldoret where one of the most known events in the country was taking place on Saturday, 10 October 2015. Nicodemus Kipkirui and Andrew Lorot won the senior and junior men’s titles uniquely with Caroline Chepkoech and Sandra Chebet maintaining dominancy in senior and junior women arena.

 Kipkirui, who trains in Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet County, prevailed in the shortened 8kilometres senior men covering the four 2kilometres loops in 24:13.7 after Joseph Ebuya, Barnabas Kosgei, Levi Matebo and Mangata Ndiwa got eclipsed on the undulating open course at Ndalat Gaa Girls High School. “This is my breakthrough in cross-country. It is my first victory and I would like to win more. It has shown me I can be a cross-country material. I will train hard and make the team that will represent Kenya next year,” said joyous Kipkirui, 24. 

Bernard Kipkemoi and Isaac Kipkoech clocked 24:19.3 and 24:21.9 in second and third where Michael Bett, Kiprono Kurgat and Fredrick Kipkosgei followed in 24:23.4, 24:26.3 and 24:30.7.

Joseph Ebuya, who won the inaugural edition in 2009 and triumphed in 2010 World cross-country in Bydgoszcz and Barnabas Kosgei, a former cross-country junior silver medalist, paled to 29th and 12th Positions while Mangata Ndiwa, with a junior title finished 14th in the race which had 102 participants. 

In junior men, Lorot, the Africa cross-country silver winner, did not disappoint as he upstaged a field of 400 competitors to win the 8kilometres in 24:30.9 eclipsing Nicholas Kemei and Dominic Kiptarus who timed 24:32.9 and 24:36.9 to come in second and third respectively.

 In the senior women that was structured to 6kilometres, Caroline Chepkoech, who won the second edition of Africa cross-country in South Africa in 2012, easily ascended to the helm after arriving at the finish in 20:45.5

Cross-country seasoned Gladys Chemweno, who finished runners up at the 5th Laikipia University Half Marathon the previous Sunday, was second in 20:52.2 with Lilian Cheruto crossing third with 21:08.2. Georgina Rono, a winner at Eindhoven and Frankfurt marathons, timed 21:14 to finish fourth.

 World Youth 3,000metres champion Sandrafelis Chebet was the undisputable winner of the 6kilometres junior women. Chebet, also the Africa cross-country silver medalist, achieved the accolade in 20:33.4.

 The second and third positions were claimed by Beatrice Jepkirui and Betty Chepkemoi after tackling the course in 20:58.7 and 21:22.1 while Eva Cherono and Emily Chebet clocked 21:22.7 and 21:32.9 in that order.

During the event graced by local politicians and patronized by Athletics Kenya officials Mr. Isaiah Kiplagat Ag. President Lt (RTD) Gen.Jackson Tuwei, Vice Presidents Mr. David Okeyo, Mr. Paul Mutwi, Mr. Jinaro Kibet and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Isaac Mwangi, special categories of arranged age brackets also competed with veterans; men and women above 51 and 46 winning heifers and sheep.

Recently crowned World champions Ezekiel Kemboi (3,000msteeplechase), Vivian Cheruiyot (10,000m), Nicholas Bett, (400m Hurdles), Julius Yego (Javelin) and Asbel Kiprop (1,500metres) were the star attraction as new talents were unearthed during the race.

2015 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON: CHICAGO, USA.

Elsewhere in the USA, It was Kenya’s day at the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as Dickson Chumba won the men’s race in 2:09:25 and Florence Kiplagat took the women’s title in 2:23:33.

 Chumba pulled away from compatriot Sammy Kitwara who came second in 2:09:50. And to complete a Kenyan sweep Sammy Ndungu took third in 2:10:06, he was followed closely by an Ethiopian and an American who took fourth and fifth positions respectively.

“The course for me was very nice,” was all that world half-marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat could say after she claimed the women’s race, breaking away at 40km to win in 2:23:33. Ethiopians Yebrgual Melese and Birhane Dibaba took the next two spots with Melese coming in second in 2:23:43.

ASICS GRAND 10 BERLIN: BERLIN, GERMANY.

Mean while in Germany, 10 000M All Africa Games Silver medalist Gladys Chesire clocked a world-leading 10km time of 30:41 at the Asics Grand 10 Berlin on Sunday 11/10/1015. Chesire was followed by Fellow Kenyan Alice Nawonuna and Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede who finished second and third in a time of 31:02 and 31:11 respectively.

In the Men’s category, Uganda’s world junior champion Joshua Cheptegei broke the National record with 27:50. Kenya’s Philemon Cheboi and Ethiopia’s Abayneh Degu Tsehay were second and third, both with the same time of 28:05.

BUENOS AIRES MARATHON: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.

Back to the United States, Kenyan runners showed their supremacy on Sunday 11/10/2015 in the Buenos Aires’ marathon by winning all three podium positions in the 42.2 kilometers competition through the streets of Argentina’s capital. Jonathan Chesoo won the race in 2:12:24 followed by his compatriots Julius Wahome and Daniel Rono.

In the women’s category, Kenyan Beatrice Toroitich finished 2nd, one second shy of the winner Abeba Gebreme from Ethiopia. Abeba completed the race in 2:30:31, a record in Argentinean marathons.

The marathon, which has been taking place annually in the Argentinean capital since 1984, had the record amount of 11,225 runners participating in the race.

20 KILOMETRES DE PARIS: PARIS, FRANCE

In Paris, Kenyans Stephen Ogari and Nancy Kimaiyo led a trail of 25,362 runners to cross the finish line at Quai Branly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Ogari, who finished second last year proved to be the strongest this year after he finished first ahead of last year’s winner Ethiopia’s Muhajir Hiredin. Ogari finished in 59:11 while the Ethiopians Muhajir and Getacher Tedla Jemaneh finished second and third in a time of 59:12 and 59:13 respectively.

Nancy Kimaiyo led a Kenyan 1-2-3 in the women’s race and was the winner over her compatriots Lucy Njeri Macharia and Nancy Arusei who came in second and third respectively. Nancy led the pack from gun to tape winning with ease in 1:06:03, little more than a minute outside the course record set last year by Rose Chelimo. Lucy Njeri followed her closely and finished in 1:07:39 with Nancy Arusei coming through for third in 1:09:16.

Conclusion;

This were among  many other races across the world where Kenyan athletes were part of and more so represented their country to be the Athletics hot bed of champions it is.

Athletics Kenya therefore congratulates them all and looks forward to more of these achievements.

Athletics Kenya

Media & Communication
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Children Athletics exhibitions, cross-country running, traditional dances and songs marked the 7th edition of the annual Ndalat Gaa Kids Cross County in Nandi with a galaxy of world beating athletes adding the profile of the competitions. Continue reading →

Future athletics champions will be revealed this Saturday when over 3,000 school-going kids from all over the country converged in Nandi County during the annual Ndalat Gaa kids cross-country competitions. Continue reading →

Burning desire to excel in athletics career overwhelmed experience when new faces dominated half marathons in Laikipia and Eldoret as runners turned up in huge number to compete Continue reading →

The 9th edition of Family Bank Eldoret Half Marathon will take place this Sunday in the town Christianized ‘City of Champions’ with the sponsors pumping in Ksh10 million sponsorship this year. Continue reading →

The 2015 BMW Berlin marathon champions Eliud Kipchoge and Gladys Cherono have once again  eaffirm the country’s superiority in major global city marathons after the double victory on Sunday with Kenyans paying growing tribute to the duo. Continue reading →

The medal sweep by the trio of Margaret Chelimo, Rosemary Wanjiru and Alice Aprot in  5,000metres invigorated athletics discipline that went on to redeem Team Kenya by winning nearly all the country’s medals in the just-ended 11th All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo. Continue reading →

This year’s edition of the annual Ndalat Gaa Kids cross-country got a shoot in the arm when the main sponsors Safaricom donated Ksh2 million during the launch of the event on Tuesday in Nairobi. Continue reading →

When Athletics programe get underway on Sunday morning in Brazzaville, Congo, Kenya’s Athletics Team will be firing on all cylinders as earmarked athletes begin the chase for glory with gusto. Continue reading →

The National Athletics Team to the 11th All Africa Games leaves the country 10th September 2014 with the major objective of winning the overall title as athletes target every medal in all the events. Continue reading →

The all-winning national athletics team arrived back to the country in the morning to a cordial welcome with Kenyans from all walks of life milling at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to welcome the heroes and heroine home. Continue reading →

 After posting mixed results on day one of the 15th International Association of Athletics Federation World Championship, Team Kenya went on a historic medal harvest mission and emerged as the top nation in the global competitions before the championship ended on Sunday. Continue reading →

After a phony start in the men’s marathon during Day One of the World Athletics Championships, Kenyans had something to celebrate on Monday and Tuesday after invigorated Vivian Jepkemboi Cheruiyot and championship masters Ezekiel Kemboi Yano and King David Lekuta Rudisha gave the country the first gold medals. Continue reading →

The flames of the 15th Edition of IAAF World Championship illuminate the Bird’s Nest Stadium from tomorrow morning with six Kenyans bracing for medal chase in China. Continue reading →

 The national athletics team leaves the country this Monday for the 15^th International Association of Athletics Federation in Beijing China beaming with confidence of rocking the world after winding up training at Safaricom Stadium, Nairobi.

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The two-day Safaricom Athletic Kenya National Trials at the International Sports Centre Kasarani ended with sweet overtones with Kenya naming official teams to both the World Championships and All Africa Games. Continue reading →

The Scramble for slots in the National Teams to the 15th IAAF World Championships in Beijing and 11th All Africa Games in Brazzaville would likely be a tall order for some probable athletes when the trial shape up at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani, on Friday 31^st July and Saturday 1^st August 2015. Continue reading →

The National Youth team returns to the country after retaining the second position in the World Ranking with a haul of 13 medals when the 9th IAAF World Youth Championships came to an end at Pasqual Querrero Stadium in Cali, Columbia on Sunday. Continue reading →

Three National Records were broken and one equaled as the three-day National athletics Championships came to an end on Saturday at the Safaricom National stadium, Kasarani in Nairobi. Continue reading →

Cross-country champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Asbel Kiprop and Vivian Cheruiyot lived up to their billing with spectacular performance while Mike Mukamba, Francisca Koki and Joyce Zakari set new national records during the National Championships that ended at Kasarani on Saturday. Continue reading →

Elite athletes will have to forfeit their accumulative Diamond League points this weekend in Lausanne for the National showdown where regions and institutions would be parading the country’s top stars for the annual showbiz. Continue reading →

The cut-down to the national athletics championships ends this Saturday with all the regions completing their selections during the weekend. Continue reading →

Team Kenya to the World Youth Championship started its strategizing schemes in Nairobi from Monday in an effort to surpass the country’s previous performance in Donestk, Ukraine in 2013. Continue reading →

The war for athletics superiority has been declared after three Athletics Kenya Affiliates selected their marksmen and women for the titanic battle during the Safaricom AK National championships in a venue yet to be confirmed. Continue reading →

The battle for the forthcoming World Youth Championship ended in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon with Athletics Kenya naming the National team to the biannual event.
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The Chebet Sisters will be the athletes to beat when the National Athletics Youth trial takes centre stage at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi next week. Continue reading →

The cut-down to the World Athletics Championships and All Africa Games is moving a level higher this weekend with four national championships and the some counties picking their respective teams in various parts of the country. Continue reading →

A Galaxy of top performers will illuminate the Kenya Police service Athletics National Championships with star officers putting their rank on the line to battle for the rights to represent the service at the nationals coming at the end of the month.
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World Marathon record holder Dennis Kipruto Kimeto and twice world champion Edna Ng’eringwony Kiplagat will be among the Kenya’s Flag bearers to this year’s global competitions.

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The Safaricom-sponsored Athletics Kenya build-up series came to an end in Eldoret on Saturday in a classic style with athletes competing on a tartan track for the first time outside Nairobi.
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Track activities reach the peak this weekend with Eldoret, famed the home of champions, hosting the last Safaricom Athletics Kenya track and field building up meeting in the region reputed as the cradle of running in the country. Continue reading →

The National Relays team jet out of the country today at 16.40hrs for the 2nd International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Bahamas this weekend seeking to bring Glory to the country.

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The 2^nd Confederation of African Athletics Youth Championships ended in Mauritius on Sunday with Team Kenya exhibiting Brilliant Performance by finishing as the runners-up to South Africa Republic with improved medal tally. Continue reading →

Jubilation welcomed Kenya’s performance during this year’s Virgin London Marathon race after the country’s male team swept the Podium to keep the nation’s tradition of dominating major city marathons in the world.

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When the Second Confederation of Africa Athletics Youth championship kicks of in Mauritius tomorrow, the Kenyan representatives would be looking for quality performance at the continental tournament.

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The quest to represent Kenya in the forthcoming global and continental championships started in Nakuru over the weekend with medals hunters launching their campaigns for the silverwares.

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Government will work towards reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks to ensure smooth preparations of the 2017 IAAF World Youth Championships in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture, Dr. Hassan Wario has pledged.

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The 3rd Safaricom Athletics Kenya Track and Field competition series takes place in Nakuru this Friday  nd Saturday with elite athletes headlining start lists in several events.

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 Kenyan distant runners dominated in major global events over th weekend with veteran Kenneth  Mungara setting a record in Italy.

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Athletics Kenya picked a strong 30-member team for the 2^nd International Association of Athletics Federation World Relays  Championships during an ecstatic national trial held at the Safaricom  Stadium, Kasarani on Friday evening.

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A team of more than 80 athletes would be camping in Nairobi from today ahead of the National Relays trials that will be take place at The Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani from 5:00pm this Friday April 10th.

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The reigning World Junior 800 metres champion Margaret Nyairera and upstart Elijah Manangoi were the toast of the Second Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend Meeting held in Thika over the week as veteran Joyce Zakary and Charity Wandia returned to competitive running.

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