World Cross Country junior champion Ishmail Kipkurui will lead Baringo County at this weekend's Athletics Kenya (AK) Central Rift cross-country championships at Sinonin Secondary School in Baringo.
Coach Barnaba Kitilit revealed that Kipkurui, winner of the inaugural Chepsaita Cross Country Championships in December 2023, will compete in the senior men's race.
Kipkurui was picked to run on Saturday despite missing the Baringo County Championships last weekend having been away in Spain.
“He will be the man to watch come Saturday. We hope he will perform well. He has been very consistent and our wish is to have him make the team to the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, in March,” said Kitilit.
Kipkurui will be up against Nandi's Philip Tarus and last weekend's winner Shadrack Kiptoo.
Tarus was upbeat ahead of this weekend's regional show.
“My target this year is to run at the World Cross Country Championships. I have been training well for the event,” said Tarus.
He said winning the Nandi County championships wasn't a walk in the park due to the quality of athletes from the county. “It was a tough encounter but winning here gives me a chance to run at the top,” he said.
Tarus won the 10km senior men's race in 31:03.90 followed by Evans Kipkorir (31:08.60) and Emmanuel Bor ( 31:25.10).
Naomi Kemboi from Baringo will be up against Nandi’s Rosalinda Jepketer in the women's 10km race.
Jepketer won the Nandi women's title in 36:07.60 followed by Aurelia Kiptui (37:03.30) and Joy Kemuma ( 37:06.70).
Baringo's Ruth Jemutai and Jael Jelimo from Nandi are the women to watch in the junior women's race while Nandi trio of Mathew Kipksogei, Jesphat Kipkirui and Evans Kipkorir highlight the junior women's race.
