Jebitok eyes hat-trick of titles as Cross Country moves to Sotik

All roads lead to Sotik, Bomet County for the final Athletics Kenya Cross Country weekend meet on Saturday before the competition shifts to the counties.

The races are part of build up ahead of the national trials set for Lobo, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on January 22, 2022 in preparation for the World Cross Country Tour to be held in the same venue on February 12, 2022.

Edina Jebitok, who is in fine form after winning the 10km races in Iten and Kapsokwony, will be seeking to extend her dominance on Saturday.

Jebitok, a Form Two student at Cheptonon Secondary School in Nandi County, has her eyes on the World Cross Country Tour.

“I will be heading to Sotik to try my best but I’m happy because I managed to win the last two editions. The race I know will be competitive because it’s the last one and everybody wants to participate but I believe in my preparations and I just want to win,” said Jebitok.

“The next season is action packed and that’s why I want to start with cross country events which is good for my preparations ahead of the track season where I want to participate in the World Championships,” said Jebitok.

World Under-18 2,000m steeplechase champion Leonard Bett will also be competing in the 10km senior category where he is seeking to shine at home. Bett trains in Silibwet, Bomet County.

“Next year, we don’t have World Cross Country Championships but we are lucky there will be a World Cross Country Tour and I will be eyeing to represent Kenya in the games. This is just to sharpen my skills because I will also be targeting to represent Kenya in the World Championships next year,” said Bett.

World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Faith Cherotich will be lining up for the 6km junior event.

The completion of the series will allow athletes compete in the County Cross Country events which should take place by December 18.

The National Police Cross Country Championships shall be held on January 7, 2022, at Ngong Racecourse, the same day as the Kenya Defence Forces Cross Country Championships will be held at Nairobi’s Moi Air Base.

On January 8, Kenya Prisons will hold their championships at the Prisons Training College in Ruiru while on the same day, the University Cross Country Championships shall be held at Kabarak University in Nakuru.

At the same time, Regional Cross Country Championships shall be held to pave the way for the National Cross Country Championships on January 22 at Kapseret in Uasin Gishu County.

 

PHOTO COURTESY