Kip moves up a gear to 21km

Kampala marathon. Champion over 10km in 2011, the Olympian is switching to the 21km tomorrow.

Olympian Abraham Kiplimo is moving up a gear to contest for honours in the 21km at tomorrow’s MTN Kampala marathon.

The runner, who represented Uganda at this year’s Olympics in London, has never competed over the half marathon. He, however, won the 10km subsidiary race at last year’s Kampala marathon in 29:33 ahead of steeplechaser Jacob Araptany (29:35).

“Being my first time, I know it will be very difficult. But I am prepared for whatever comes my way. I will try to win,” Kiplimo told Saturday Monitor on Thursday.

Fine form
Kiplimo is in fine form having won 5000m and 1500m races in the Inter Forces Games last week. But with Kenyan Onesmus Serem returning to defend his title, Kiplimo faces a stiff challenge in his bid to win the Shs4m cash prize. Also in the for the gold are Ugandans Jackson Kiprop, who finished seventh at the World Half Marathon Championships last month, and Nathan Ayeko.

Former world and steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru has signed up to defend her crown in the women’s 21km but comes up against a tricky opponent in Adero Nyakisi.

Although she was beaten on track in the Inter Forces Games, Nyakisi is still a force to reckon with when it comes to road running.
Kenyans Lillian Anzazi and Rionotukei Chemutai are the other contenders for the women’s 21km top gong.

odongoj@ug.nationmedia.com