Athletics
Focus on Poland as season starts
Araptany has shaken off his injury in time to compete in Kapchwora today. PHOTO BY AFP
Posted Saturday, February 2 2013 at 02:00
In Summary
Athletics. Eastern region is the home of many long distance runners and over 300 runners are expected to take part in the 6km, 8km and 12km in Kapchorwa town this morning.
The dust is off the spikes and athletes around the western and eastern regions will hope to return in better fashion at the regional cross country races in Kabale and Kapchworwa today.
Like it has been in the past, the latter event has attracted more familiar names and new stars are expected to be unearthed from over 40 clubs and 30 districts around the region that will take part.
The elite runners expected in the fray today include Nathan Ayeko, Peter Kibet, Jacob Araptany, Peter Ayeko, Annet Negesa, Juliet Chekwel and Stella Chesang.
Uncertain on Kipsiro
According to Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) publicity secretary Namayo Mawere, Moses Kipsiro was yet to confirm participation by press time though about 300 runners had already signed up.
Araptany, one of the 11 runners, who represented Uganda at the London Olympics, is keeping his eyes on the national event due February 16 in Jinja before the 40th IAAF World Cross Country Championships (WCC) in Bydgoszcz, Poland on March 24.
“Saturday’s (today) race is a warm up for me,” said Araptany. “I am happy my left ankle, which I had twisted during training after Christmas, has fully healed and I can now compete,” added the junior team bronze medallist from the WCC in Punta Umbria two years ago.
Araptany has been training for today’s event at the Kere camp in Kween alongside 50 other athletes.
Main attraction
At the Kabale Sports Club (KSC) circuit, Canada-based runner Samuel Lutabi will be the centre of attraction as he challenges defending champion Willy Kato in the senior men’s class.
Bruce Tindyebwa, a 5000m winner at last year’s Western Region Athletics Championships, will also be in the fray. Kato and Tindyebwa have been in camp, training under coach Geoffrey Kagwa for a month at Lake Bunyonyi Vocational School.
Early this week, Lutabi offered the camp training kit.
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