Ericson Kiprono and Felix Yegon

World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, Africa cross-country bronze medallist Beatrice Mutai and world 1,500m silver medallist Faith Chepng’etich will be the headliners at this Saturday’s South Rift Region Athletics Kenya cross-country championships in Sotik, Bomet county.

The trio will battle it out in the 10km senior women’s race in the countdown to the sixth Africa Cross Country Championships slated for April 8 1 in Lome, Togo.

Chepng’etich, the 2014 national and Africa cross-country champion, won in Sotik in 2015 while it will be the first time for Chepkoech.

Londiani-based World Cross-Country Under-20 champion Beatrice Chebet will be the main attraction in the junior race that will have the likes of Deborah Chemutai, Edinah Jebitok, Emmaculate Anyango, Celestine Chepkirui, Desma Chepkoech and Cynthia Chepngeno.

South Rift Athletics Kenya secretary general Japhet Kemei is expecting a titanic battle, he said: “We expect a highly explosive affair in the championship as we name our team for the Nmational trials.” 

Bomet county Athletics Kenya chairman John Kimeto said preparations for the event are on course, while confirming that area governor Hillary Barchok will attend.

“We have other 13 other regions producing athletes that are set to face off in the trials next month in Nairobi,” said Kimeto, adding that six athletes will be picked from each of the seven categories making a team of 42 that will represent the region in the nationals to be held at Uhuru Gardens on February 2.