All set for Ol Kalou Athletics Kenya Cross Country leg
By David Macharia, November 17, 2023
The starting point of this year’s leg of the Ol Kalou Athletics Kenya Cross Country series, in Nyandarua County, has been changed to accommodate the growing number of athletes who have showed interest.
Nyandarua AK Secretary, Lawrence Miano said shifting of the starting area was informed by the need to have room for the large number of runners who turn up for the race each year.
“The old starting area had many trees that hampered the runners. The trees could not be cleared because the department responsible refused to allow us to interfere with the ecosystem.
“They said the trees were home to birds and bees that will lose,” Miano said on the phone.
He said the new starting area was spacious and conforms to standards that require runners to run for between 100m and 150 metres before entering the narrow route.
Those expected to run in the race tomorrow is last year’s senior men’s winner Daniel Ebenyo Simiu who is enjoying top form.
World Half marathon gold medalist Kibiwott Kandie who was second last year is also expected to be in the starting line, according to Miano.
Beatrice Chebet won the corresponding race for senior women last year and is also expected to turn up this year to defend the title.
A legion of athletes who train in Nyahururu and its environs will also be participating to gauge their form as they eye team spot for the World Cross Country Championships.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s world record marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum and long-distance runner Faith Kipyegon successfully made the final shortlist of five athletes for the men’s and women’s World Athlete of the Year 2023 award.
The 23-year-old Kiptum grabbed the global headlines after storming the Chicago Marathon title and smashing the World record in the process. He clocked 2 hours and 35 seconds to shatter compatriot Eliud Kipchoge’s record of 2:01:09 set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
Other nominees for the men’s award include Indian Neeraj Chopra, who is both the reigning javelin world and Asian Games champion, American Ryan Crouser, who is the current shot put world record holder also made the list.