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Athletics Kenya (AK) will use the 4th edition of the Bargentuny Mountain Running and Trail event in Tinderet, Nandi County, to select a provisional team for the World Mountain Running Championships set to take place in Spain later this year.

Kenya Mountain Running chairman Peter Angwenyi confirmed that the selection process will take place during the event, scheduled for January 18, as part of preparations for the September competition in Spain.

“AK has given us the chance to select a provisional team at Tinderet, which is an ideal location for this purpose,” stated Angwenyi.
He added that they will select four teams—two for juniors and two for seniors. “Once the team is selected, we will seek sponsorship, and if successful, all the teams will compete in Spain,” he added.

Angwenyi further urged top Kenyan athletes to participate in the event, citing Kenya’s top ranking in mountain running by World Athletics.

“We are calling on the top 10 runners to compete at Tinderet, as this race will determine the provisional team,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and AK last year launched the ‘Magical Kenya Mountain & Trail Series,’ aimed at positioning Kenya as a premier sports and adventure destination.

The series will kick off on Monday, January 13 in Nyahururu with tree planting, evening runs and a flag-off ceremony. The trail continues on January 14 in Baringo with hiking, a mobile medical camp and more tree planting, followed by a stopover in Timboroa at the train station on January 16.

The main event, the Bargentuny Mountain Run, will take place on January 18 in Nandi County.

KTB CEO June Chepkemei highlighted the significance of the collaboration, describing it as a milestone in diversifying Kenya’s tourism offerings while tapping into the lucrative sports tourism market.

“Globally, sports tourism contributes over $400 million annually and is growing at 15 per cent each year. Kenya, with its stunning landscapes and adventure experiences, provides the perfect backdrop for this,” said Chepkemei.

She described the series as a game changer that will attract both international sports enthusiasts and domestic tourists.