Reigning world 10,000m bronze medalist Rhonex Kipruto is set to defend his Discovery Kenya cross country that turns 29 years on Sunday at Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu County.
Two-time world under 20 10,000m champion, who won last year’s title went ahead to win his first world medal in Doha and luck came along this year when he broke the six weeks short 10km world record set by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei after shaking off 14 seconds, winning in 26:24 during Valencia Ibercaja 10k Road Race two weeks ago.
Speaking press today, race organizers led by Central Rift chairman Abraham Mutai and David Letting said Kipruto will lead other runners like the reigning world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor while Brilliant Jepkorir will be defending women’s title against former world cross country champion Agnes Tirop among other top runners.
“We want to have a very successful event come Sunday. This race has produced top runners in the country for the last 28 years. Due to such good name, we want to ensure that we have top-notch runners and great championships,” said Mutai.
The annual event has nurtured top runners world marathon record holder Brigid Koskei, former Boston marathon winner Elijah Lagat, world half marathon record holder Kamworor among others.
Coach Letting said is the cross country season and we have to use the event to select our team ahead of National cross country championships.
“This event mostly focuses on children, who are our future and we discover them. Last year, we had 3,000 athletes but this year, we have projected and budgeted for 5,000 runners,” said Letting adding that they have a few top athletes who will come to run like world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor, former world cross country champion Agnes Tirop competing.