Budding runners Winnie Kimutai and Jacob Krop have set their target to win their maiden titles at this year’s Africa Cross country championships set for Lome, Togo on April 8.
Coming from North Rift, the duo will be making their debut at the continental championships, competing in 6km and 8km under 20 women and men respectively.
They are among the 36 athletes selected to represent the country at Africa Cross country championships following the national cross country championships/trials held at the Ngong Racecourse on Saturday.
Kimutai, who has been a figure in Athletics Kenya cross country meetings across the country, won the Mount Elgon title to set her pace for the continental title.
The Form Two student at Kapsait secondary school in Elgeyo Marakwet County said her ambitions are well placed, to win gold and the worst should silver.
“I have been training with my coaches and that will bear fruits in Togo. My target is to come home with gold which am sure but when things get worse, then I must win silver,” said Kimutai.
She was named alongside Maurine Cherotich from South Rift who won the title at the national cross country, defending champion Edina Jebitok also from South Rift, Central Rift’s Agnes Jebet, Nyanza’s Margaret Akidor and Deborah Chemutai.
After making his name during 2019 World Athletics championships in Doha, Qatar, Jacob Krop will be making his debut too for the Africa cross country.
The form four student from Chewoyet secondary school in West Pokot County, made into the kenya team to compete in 5,000m after Robert Kibet and Daniel Simiyu failed to meet anti-doping requirements.
He was the finalists at the world events alongside Africa cross country junior champion Nicholas Kimeli, who will be returning to the continental show as a senior runner, who cut into team Kenya during the national trials.
Krop said his mission will be complete once he wins his maiden title on his maiden appearance at the championships.
“My target is to run well as part of my preparations for world under 20. If I do well in Togo, then it will be a precursor for both under 20 and Olympic Games,” said Krop.
He will be marshalling forces with two time national champion Samuel Chebulei, his school mate Shadrack Kipchirchir, Gideon Rono, Emmanuel Kiplagat and Emmanuel Maruu.
Athletics Kenya vice president in charge of competitions Paul Mutwii, observed that the team is very competitive going by the performances of the individual athletes, not only during the trials but also the cross country circuit.
“This is a very strong team despite the absence of some of the top runners like Geoffrey Kamworor, and Sheila Chelangat, who finished second and first in the senior men and women’s races respectively,” said Mutwii.
“We are used to winning at such championships and this will be no different. Despite the withdrawal of some of the top runners, we feel that this is a very strong team, going by what we witnessed during the trials and the circuit.”
The team is expected to report to camp at the Kigari Teachers’ Training College, Embu County, on March 22 before traveling to Togo on April 6.
6km U18 Boys
Vincent Kipchumba, Benson Sigei, David Mungai, Bernard Langat, Ismael Kirui, Franklin Maritim
5km U18 Girls
Naomi Kemboi, Marion Cheruiyot, Iscah Chelangat, Christine Chesiro, Gladys Chepkirui, Faith Kimutai
8km U20 Boys
Samuel Chebulei, Jacob Krop, Shadrack Kipchirchir, Gideon Rono, Emmanuel Kiplagat, Emmanuel Maruu
6km U20 Girls
Maurine Cherotich, Edina Jebitok, Agnes Jebet, Winnie Kimutai, Margaret Akidor, Deborah Chemutai
10km Senior Women
Stacy Ndiwa, Joyce Chepkemoi, Emmaculate Anyango, Beatrice Chebet, Monica Chirchir, Margaret Chelimo
10km Senior men
Kibiwott Kandie, Nicholas Kimeli, Alfred Barkach, Emmanuel Bett, Edwin Kiplagat, Edwin Kosgei
Team manager Ainsworth Maragara, assistant team manager James Seur, chaperone Ruth Keter, Georgina Nyambura, coaches Francis Kamau, Patrick Ivuti, Daniel Kororia, John Elium Nkanat.
Source: The Star Newspaper