Stars Cheptegei, Kiplimo chase national cross county in Tororo

The general public today gives the cross-country version of athletics more attention since Uganda hosted the 2017 World Championship in Kololo.

That event was coloured by teenager Jacob Kiplimo who impressed in front of President Museveni to win the country’s first-ever World Cross-country individual gold after winning the junior men’s 8km race.

And a lot of water has gone under the bridge since. Kiplimo has graduated to the senior ranks.

Owing to his form, he is expected to be a lead contender when an elite pack lines up to contest for the senior men’s 10km title at the National Cross-country Championships at the Tororo Golf Course today.

The event serves as the qualifier for the top performers to the World Cross-country Championships set to be held in Aarhus, Denmark on March 30.

“Yes, I am targeting the cross country world title,” Kiplimo said in a recent interview with IAAF.

Having spent more time in Europe with his Italian managers, Kiplimo arrives in the eastern town of Uganda in some good form.
The 18-year-old set fastest 10K time ever of 26:41 minutes to win the San Silvestre Vallecana road race in Spain on December 31, 2018.

He as well won five of the nine IAAF World Cross Country Permit events in Spanish towns of Burgos, Soria, Alcobendas and Seville as well as the final event in Albufeira, Portugal on February 3.

In Seville, Kiplimo dethroned his counterpart Joshua Cheptegei and now plans to repeat the trick in Tororo.
Cheptegei won the national title in 2017 in Kololo and retained the honours in Jinja last year.

The 22-year-old will be aiming to recover from the Seville failure by scooping a back-to-back-to-back.
“I know I am only at about 85% at the moment but I’ll now return to Uganda and hope to be at my best for the World Cross,” double Commonwealth champion Cheptegei said after Seville.

Whereas the attention is on Kiplimo and Cheptegei, record six-time national champion Moses Kipsiro and 2016 Africa Cross-country silver medallist Phillip Kipyeko are expected to feature.

Kipsiro has struggled for full fitness lately though but he could lead a bunch of marathoners including 2014 Commonwealth bronze medallist Abraham Kiplimo, all itching to fine-tune their bodies.

The race could also have evergreen Timothy Toroitich, steeplechaser Albert Chemutai who came third at Permit event in San Giorgio, Italy on January 6.

Mande Bushendich as well has impressed on the Permit and so was Stella Chesang in the women’s class.

The Commonwealth 10000m female champion Chesang came second at the Permit events in Seville and Elgoibar, Spain, implying she picks up the favourite’s tag over the 10km race.

However, defending champion Mercyline Chelangat and Esther Chebet will be watching her closely.

More than 100 runners are expected to flock Tororo to take part in the four events including the junior races (men’s 8km and women’s 6km).