Record field for Ol Kalou Cross Country leg
Hellen Obiri cruises on her way to victory during the opening leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series at the People's Park in Machakos on November 28, 2020.
What you need to know:
- AK’s Nyandarua County branch chairman, Kamau Mfae, said the bumper entry in Ol Kalou is owing to the proximity of Nyahururu town that has many training camps
- The leg was supposed to be held on January 9 but was brought forward to January 2 to allow athletes ample rest before they embark on the regional and institutional cross country championships, which commence on January 13
- AK has been working closely with the Nyandarua County government to put Covid-19 measures in place by setting up the required hygiene facilities at the venue
With winners from previous legs missing in action, the contest has been thrown wide open in the final leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County on Saturday.
World cross country champion Hellen Obiri and Daniel Simiu, who won the first leg in Machakos on November 28, are in Spain for some races.
National cross country champion Sheila Chelangat and Charles Yosei, winners of the second leg in Mosoriot, Nandi County on December 19 have also stayed away from the Ol Kalou leg.
Nevertheless, a record turnout of 600 athletes is expected in Ol Kalou. AK’s Nyandarua County branch chairman, Kamau Mfae, said the bumper entry in Ol Kalou is owing to the proximity of Nyahururu town that has many training camps.
“We have an estimated 400 athletes training in the nearby Nyahururu town. We expect more athletes from the adjacent environs. Most athletes are eager to shade off the rust, having not competed for the better part of last year owing to Covid-19 situation,” said Mfae.
Mfae said the prevailing warm weather and terrain are perfect for a cross country championship.
“This time the weather is very warm unlike the previous editions. We have also been inspecting the course and the terrain is very suitable for a cross country event,” he said.
The leg was supposed to be held on January 9 but was brought forward to January 2 to allow athletes ample rest before they embark on the regional and institutional cross country championships, which commence on January 13.
AK has been working closely with the Nyandarua County government to put Covid-19 measures in place by setting up the required hygiene facilities at the venue. “They have provided us with running water, sanitisation booths for washing hands and sanitisers,” Mfae said.
The Ol Kalou event that will be held at the People's Park, will pave way for Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships on January 15 at the Ngong Racecourse followed by the Kenya Prisons Service Cross Country Championships the following day at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru.
All the counties will stage their cross country events on January 16 before the Kenya Defence Forces Cross Country Championships on January 29 at Moi Air Base and regional championships on January 30.
The National Cross Country Championships is planned for February 13 in Kisii where a national team will be picked for the Africa Cross Country Championships slated for March 6 in Lome, Togo.
The selected team will be required to report for residential training at Kigari Teachers Training College, Embu a few days after the selection exercise.
The continental event had been planned for March 3 last year but was postponed by a month owing to the general elections in Togo. It was later called off altogether after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
