NAIROBI, Kenya, November 11 – World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) president Tomo Sarf is excitedly looking forward to Saturday’s Longonot Trail Challenge in Naivasha.
Sarf says a trip to the cradle of global athletics has been a long time coming and is optimistic of unforgettable memories.
“I am really happy that I am finally here in Kenya. I have been planning this trip for such a long time because I believe that while long distance running was not born here, but that Kenyans are the best when it comes to it. I am sure there will be a really strong competition from all the runners and may the best ones win,” Sarf said.
The president is further hopeful that Saturday’s event will be the beginning of a new dawn for mountain running in Kenya as far as the growth of the sport is concerned.
“I know that there have been other mountain running competitions before but I believe that this one is at a different level. I believe the organisation is at a higher level and the competition will be different. I am looking forward to more editions of the same and I am really happy that Athletics Kenya (AK) are on board. There are also world champions competing and this goes a long way in increasing the interest of the media,” he said.
Sarf arrived in Kenya on Sunday ahead of Saturday’s competition, which will be a World Mountain Running ranking event.
Speaking at the same time, AK president Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei expressed confidence Kenya will soon host the World Mountain Running Championships.
“As a country, we are doing much to develop mountain running. It is spreading and people are developing interest. We have very good venues for competitions. We are very proud to associate with the event. Maybe, in future, we’ll be able to host the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships,” he said.
He underlined the federation’s commitment to developing the sport, noting the need to train more coaches specialising in mountain running.
“We recognise that for us to cover a wider area in mountain running, we need to train more coaches and technical officials to get on the sport,” Lt Gen (Rtd) Tuwei said.
Run2gether Athletics Training Camp founder Thomas Krejci called on athletes to continue registering in their numbers, pointing out how the Longonot Trail will offer more pathways for them to compete abroad.
“Kenya is supporting mountain, its growing, Kenya is now organizing races in the country. Athletes will have a chance to test themselves and get a chance to get into bigger races abroad,” he said.
Challenge accepted
Hundreds are expected to compete in three categories of competition, including senior men and women’s 10km as well as 11.54 km fun run.
World Mountain and Trail Running champion Patrick Kipngeno is looking forward to competing on home soil for the first time since he won the Mt Kenya Mountain Running Championships in 2022.
“I have been on a little break after running at the World Cup but now I am looking forward to Saturday. The last time I competed in Naivasha I emerged victorious although that is where I have been training, Kipngeno said.
His fellow runner, the 2023 Mountain Running World Cup champion Philemon Kiriago, is equally excited about the challenge that awaits him.
It is a challenge he has embraced with open arms.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and see what my fellow Kenyans will have to offer in terms of competition. It has been a while since I started competing in the World Cup and the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. I am excited for what Saturday has to offer,” Kiriago said.
Registration is ongoing with participants simply required to part with Ksh 500.
