World Military Games 5,000m bronze medalist Emmanuel Kipsang will be chasing his 5th title at the weekend’s Iten cross country, the 4th leg of Athletics Kenya cross country meeting ahead of 5th edition of Africa Cross country championships in Algeria.
Kipsang won the title last year after defending his 2015 title clocked 26:57.2 ahead of Philemon Rono.
The Laikipia Air Base man said he uses the Iten meeting as part of his build up for other races ahead of him.
“After running in Iten, I can now gauge myself on how to compete for other races both locally and internationally. I use the Iten meeting as a build up for other races,” said Kenya defence Forces champion after morning training.
The meeting will take place at the historical athletes producing school St. Patrick’s Iten high school ground.
“I won the race last year and defended my title and this year, I want to go for a hat trick,” he added.
According to North Rift Athletics Kenya public Relations Officer Boniface Tiren, former world junior 800m runner Emmaculate Jebet, who won last year, will also be in the contention for the title defence.
Jebet won the women’s 10km category in a crowded field cutting the tape in 31:08.7.
“We are expecting a large turnout since this is the hub of athletes in the country. We are expecting all gold medalists across the world to take part,” said Tiren as he puts final touches on the course.