Fast-rising juniors Johanna Erot, Simon Maiywa and Charles Rotich start favourites at World Under-20 trials scheduled for tomorrow and Friday at Nyayo National Stadium.
The three athletes, who represented the country at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, will be seeking another chance to fly the Kenyan flag high at the World U-20 Championships set for August 27-31 in Lima, Peru.
The trio train at Siyoi Athletics Training camp in west Pokot and will be competing in the 5,000m.
The three, who train under head coach Edward Moti, drove over 100km from West Pokot to test the tartan track at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
Speaking after morning training, Maiywa said he is prepared for the trials and ready to make history.
Maiywa, who finished fourth in the junior category during the Africa Cross Country Championships, added: “I am determined to make Team Kenya to the World U-20 Championships in Peru. My training is well on course and I am looking forward to qualifying for Lima,” he added.
He said he had learned a lot of things after training on tartan at the Kip Keino Stadium. “ I think the tartan situation is better than the marram track I am used to, at Makutano,” he noted.
“Lack of facilities at our training base has forced us to come to Eldoret and I am certain this trip will not go to waste but yield fruits,” he added.
Erot, who finished fifth in the junior category at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, said he is ready to compete on the big stage in Peru.
The Biribiriet alumni said since the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, he has not competed in any other event and can’t wait for the trials this week.
“Since I took part at the world cross, I have never run any other race and that is why I can’t wait for the trials. I can assure Kenyans that I will come back with the 5,000m gold from Peru. I have been training well in readiness for the trials,” he said.
Rotich, who has competed in two global cross-country championships (Belgrade and Bathurst, Australia) is also optimistic of winning the title.
“I came to Eldoret for speed work ahead of trials but I am sure of making the team to Peru. Belgrade, where I finished sixth, was a difficult race ostensibly because I had not trained enough. Right now, I am ready for Peru and I have undergone intensive training,” said the former student at Kapkecha, who finished 12th at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.
Other athletes from the camp are Domtila Cheruto and Desmond Chepkosil who will compete in the 3,000m.
Over the weekend, Cheruto won the girls' 5km title at the Moi Girls Kapsowar Conservation and Charity race held in Kapsowar, Elgeyo Marakwet county.
Coach Moti said the athletes are in top shape and ready to shine both on the national and international stage.
