World 10,000m silver medallist Stanley Waithaka will be seeking to defend his 10,000m title during the East Japan Inter-corporate Ekiden Championships on November 3.
Waithaka said the race will be his last for the season before starting preparations for next year’s World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.
“I will be racing at a Japan meeting before I take a break. I am also keen on next year’s world cross country series,” he said, adding that his body is responding well to training.
The 2018 world under-20 silver medallist said he is hoping he’ll secure a slot at next year’s World Championships in Budapest as he looks to lower his personal best time of 27:13.01.
He said his dream is to grace the 2024 Paris Olympics and strongly believes he will be among the Kenyan contingent to France.
“I want to hit the time qualification of 27:10.00 and gradually improve my performance. Participating in the Olympics is my big dream and I am already building up for 2024 by featuring in all these races,” Waithaka said.
He also summed up his season so far as great, owing to his performance at the World Championships in Oregon, where he bagged silver in 27:27.90. He also won the 70th All Japan Corporate Team Championships in 27:19.86.
“My season has been okay. I got the chance to represent the country in the senior category for the first time and won silver in 10,000m at the global show. It has been a lucky one for me because I haven’t encountered any challenges so far,” he said.
Waithaka added that he looks up to his coach Stephen Njenga and the 2006 Commonwealth 5000m champion Augustine Choge because of their resilience and discipline.
He said his athletics career has been of great help as he has been able to help himself as well as his family.
“My coach, who trains me in Nyahururu always motivates me. I am also inspired by Choge. My career has helped me to transform my life and that of my parents and siblings,” he concluded.