Africa-Press – Kenya. Top runners have stepped up preparations for the fifth edition of the Tinderet Barng’etuny Mountain Run National Championship to be held on January 17.
Patrick Kipng’eno, winner of the inaugural edition on Tuesday, declared his intention reclaim his title. “I started my training for the race in December. I aim to reclaim the title as my body is in good shape at the moment. I have a good record in the event because in the second edition, I finished second,” said Kipng’engo.
Kipng’eno is a two-time World Mountain and Trail Running champion. During last year’s championships, he finished third in the uphill race. The Tinderet Barng’entuny Mountain Run is held at Lion Hills Farm in Tinderet Constituency, Nandi County, annually.
The winner of the women’s category last year, Janet Chepng’etich, has recovered from injury and will defend her title.
She missed the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc Pirineos due to an injury. This year’s race will be an up-and-down 21 km. The previous editions were 14 km.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Mountain Running Committee chairman, Peter Angwenyi, said they expect top athletes in the country to feature in the race. “We are in touch with top athletes, including World Mountain and Trail Championship medal winners, and they will start their season at Tinderet on January 17,” said Angwenyi.
Angwenyi said a strong team of 15 from Nyamira County, led by World Champion Philemon Kiriago, silver medalist Richard Atuya, and bronze medalist Paul Machoka have already registered for the event, which has lucrative prizes. “I visited their training base in Nyamira, and I was impressed with their training. The team included several upcoming mountain runners,” added Angwenyi.
He said the athletes will use the event as preparation for the World Mountain Running World Cup and Golden Trail World Series, the most popular mountain running races in the world. He tipped Kenyan runners to continue with their dominance at the two events.
“The races will also form part of preparations for next year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. This will be the first time Africa will host the event,” noted Angwenyi.
He commended corporations for sponsoring the race. “I’m impressed by the number of corporations that have supported the race. Tinderet Barng’etuny race is a good breeding ground for mountain runners,” added Angwenyi.
Angwenyi, the AK Nyanza South chairman, welcomed the introduction of the men’s and women’s U20 4km races. “This is part of our continuity plan. These are the athletes who will take over from the current runners when they call it quits,” remarked Angwenyi.
During last year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain, Uganda dominated the junior races. Kenya did not field athletes in the junior categories.
