Nyandarua keen to stage trials for World X-Country
By David Macharia, October 11, 2023
Nyandarua County wants to host the national cross country trials in the countdown to next year’s World Cross Country championships.
Nyandarua Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman, Francis Kamau Mwaniki said the county government had already written to the athletics national federation office, Nairobi, expressing interest to host the event at Ol Kalou Arboretum.
He challenged runners based around the county to train hard to increase their chances of being selected in the national team for the World Championship set for Serbia.
“It will be a shame if we host the trials and we don’t manage to have our athletes selected,” Mwaniki said.
He was speaking at the weekend during a cross country time-trial meet for Nyahururu based athletes.
The time trial organiser, Coach Francis Kamau Esmi said the fast times recorded at the event held at flat and obstacle-free route at Kwa-Nguku ground showed the runners had prepared well for the cross country season.
In the men 10km, Wilson Lemangale clocked 24:58.9, beating Simon Itoti (25:04.9) and Amason Kireu (25:11.0).
Mary Ekiru Nyaruai won the senior women corresponding race in 28:31.9. Joyce Wanjugu 29:51.7 and Alice Kamunya 30:28.6 followed Nyaruai in that order.
Meanwhile, Nominated Member of Parliament Irene “Renee” Mayaka expressed her confidence in the Kenyan women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, qualifying for the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
She shared her thoughts after attending the Kenya versus Angola women’s under 20 match, which Kenya won ahead of the return leg in Angola next weekend.
Congratulating the team on their victory, she commended the girls and wished them the best for the return leg. She emphasized that Kenyan women’s football has a promising future and envisioned their participation in the World Cup finals, be it in the under 20, under 23, or senior women’s category.
The MP from Nyamira praised the well-planned preparations and steady improvement of the team. Renee, previously a dedicated fan and supporter of both Gor Mahia FC and Shabana, has now shifted her full allegiance to the newly promoted Football Kenya Federation premier league side, Shabana FC.
Alongside other Women MPs, she showed her support for the Women’s under 20 national team, known as “the rising starlets,” highlighting their ability to bring joy to Kenyans. She also made a personal donation to the team, demonstrating her commitment to their success.