Kenya set to maintain domination of World Cross Country Championships.

March 13 1997

MONACO - Monte Carlo - Although Turin’s city-centre course will add a novel twist to the 25^th edition of the IAAF Pirelli World Cross Country Championships, one thing is unlikely to change: the devastating power of Kenya’s cross country runners. Since 1986, Kenya’s men have won every team race at the World Championships while a Kenyan has also won the senior men’s gold nine times, the only interruption coming in 1990 and 1991 when Morocco’s Khalid Skah claimed the honour. Kenya’s juniors have also built up a formidable reputation, winning every team race since 1988 and all but four individual golds since 1985. Although Kenya’s women have made an impact only more recently, it has been dramatic, with team victories in all but one race since 1991.

As usual, the Kenyan team are currently preparing for the World Championships at a training camp in Embu, which is located close to Mount Kenya at an altitude of 1500 metres. Reports from the camp suggest that Paul Tergat, winner of the last two senior titles, but beaten in Europe and in the Kenyan national championships this season, is returning to his best form. Paul Koech, who obtained a triple-crown in Kenya this winter by winning the Military Championships, the National Championships and the Nairobi International Cross Challenge race, has been outstanding all season. Koech was third, dipping under the 27 minute barrier with 26:56.78, behind Tergat when Salah Hissou broke the 10,000m world record in Brussels last year. Another bright prospect is Thomas Nyariki, who finished fifth in the National Championships. Lodged in Europe most of this winter he has won numerous races most notably the IAAF Cross Challenge in Albufeira, Portugal. Shem Kororia, winner of 5000m bronze in the 1995 World Championships in Goteborg and Joseph Kibor, second in the Nairobi International, will also stiffen the Kenyan challenge. Insiders report that Joshua Chelanga, who was fourth in the National Championships, has shown great promise in the training camp. Short but strong, Chelanga is tipped to upset the favourites over the 12 km course in Turin.

Kenya’s women will be anxious to avenge the victories by their deadly rival Ethiopia in 1995 and 1996. The Barsosio sisters Sally and Florence finished first and second at the National Championships but Jane Omoro, who finished third and also won the Nairobi International, has impressed observers. Lydia Jeromei, Naomi Mugo and Susan Jepkemei complete the women’s team.

To make matters worse for their rivals, Kenya will start nine men and six women in Turin with six and four to score respectively in the team contest. No wonder the World Cross Country Championships has been described as the hardest distance race to win.

News

A strong Kenyan team, led by Paul Tergat will attempt to retain their collective crown in Turin on 23 March, whilst the Kenyan women's team will be seeking revenge for their defeats in '95 and '96 by arch rivals Ethiopia.