Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech crosses the finish line during the 10km senior women race during the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Championships at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County, on February 8, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
After unsuccessful attempts to make the cut for the World Athletics Championships, top athletes are now focused on chasing cross country titles.
Qualifying for international shows has been characterised by cutthroat contests and the most experienced arsenals have often carried the day.
But in the ongoing cross country competitions, they say, they will make names for themselves and build strong endurances as they eye bigger assignments in upcoming championships.
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The season kicked off early following the setting of the January 10, 2026 date for the world cross country championships in Tallahassee, Florida.
Already, Athletics Kenya (AK) cross country series have begun, with Machakos hosting the first meet of the season on Saturday.
This time, the cross country season has come even before the 2025/2016 calendar of events is released.
“I’m now targeting the world cross country championships. I’m going to sit down with my coach to plan how I will make the cross country team. I was not in good shape last year and I am much better this season,” former African 5000m champion Robert Kiprop said after winning the fourth Uasin Gishu Half Marathon on Sunday.
AK President Jackson Tuwei has said cross country contests such as Sirikwa World Cross Country Tour, Discovery Kenya cross country and Chepsaita will not be affected by the changes and will be staged after the world event.
“The international cross country event – Sirikwa Classic will be there. We can’t afford to lose what we already have,” Tuwei said.
Maureen Chebor successfully defended her 10km women’s race title in the first AK meeting at Machakos Teachers College, while Gideon Kipkertich Ronoh was crowned the senior men’s winner in a hotly contested race.
“All I have to do is be patient, focus on the world cross country, and then start preparing for the track season. I had prepared well to compete at Machakos, and I am happy with my performance,” Chebor, who is a winner of the Festival du Cross Country, said.
In the men’s race, Japan-based Gideon Ronoh Kipkertich, who finished second at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, outsmarted 2024 Africa cross country champion Vincent Kibet Langat to take the title in 28:12.
Langat settled for second place in 28:19, while national 10,000m champion Silas Senchura ran 28:20 to complete the podium.