Kiprotich embraces World x-country team call-up
Kampala.
Since switching to marathon five years ago, Stephen Kiprotich has hardly thought about doing cross-country events.
However, he does not discard the chance of taking part at the 2017 World Cross-country Championships. Kiprotich was selected on the tentative 49-man list unveiled by Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) early this week that will take part in the 41st edition of the global event at Kololo grounds on March 26 next year
“I love cross-country,” the 2012 Olympic marathon champion told Sunday Monitor via phone from Kapchorwa yesterday.
Bar the 2010 edition in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz, Kiprotich represented Uganda at four World cross-country events between 2007 and 2011. His 12th place finish got the country a junior team bronze in 2008 Edinburgh.
Kiprotich scooped another team bronze as Uganda’s best finisher (6th) in the men’s 12km senior race in Punta Umbria, Spain on March 20, 2011.
“I did it in many countries and now that Uganda will be hosting the World x-country, I plan to be there (Kololo),” Kiprotich remarked. “But I need to make the final team first.”
While the selected runners like Kiprotich have to camp on November 4, early next month, it is not a given they will make the final list. The best runners will be selected from the National Cross-country on January 14 in Kololo.
But according to Kiprotich’s manager Jurrie van der Velden, Kiprotich has to run the Tokyo Marathon on February 26 next year, a date between the global event’s qualifier and showpiece.
“Jurrie told me I may have to do Tokyo in February,” Kiprotich disclosed. “But the good thing is the qualifier comes in January. And it is only 10km, so I can do that then focus on Tokyo if nothing changes.
Actually, the national x-country will be a good preparation as I prepare to break the marathon national record (NR) in Tokyo,” added the 27-year-old who after Punta Umbria, set a NR while winning his debut 42km race at the Enschede Marathon in Holland on April 17, 2011.
TEAM UGANDA
SENIOR MEN: Joshua Cheptegei, Phillip Kipyeko, Abdallah Mande, Thomas Ayeko, Daniel Rotich, Moses Kurong, Timothy Toroitich, Phillip Kiplimo, Robert Chemonges, Stephen Kiza, S. Kiprotich
SENIOR WOMEN: Juliet Chekwel, Stella Chesang, Racheal Chebet, Nancy Cheptegei, Emily Chebet, Doreen Chemutai, Rebecca Cheptegei, Patricia Chekwemoi, Adero Nyakisi, Mercyline Chelangat
JUNIOR MEN: Mande Bushendich, Martin Masau, Abel Chebet, Anthony Ayeko, Victor Kiplagat, Boniface Sikowo, Jacob Kiplimo, Albert Chemutai, Matthew Chekrui, Kevin Kibet
JUNIOR WOMEN: Janat Chemusto, Peruth Chemutai, Risper Chebet, Emma Chebet, Scola Chemos, Sarah Chelangat, Brenda Chemutai, Demaris Chelangat
RELAY MEN: Ronald Musagala, Fred Chemonges, Abu Mayanja Jacob Araptany, Jimmy Adar
RELAY WOMEN: Winnie Nanyondo, Halima Nakaayi, Dorcus Ajok, Esther Chebet, Esther Chekwemoi
*Teams starts camp on November 4 with female athletes at Arua Athletics club camp in Kapkoros while males camp at Standard High in Amanang.
