600 athletes to take part in Prisons’ Championships

600 athletes are expected to take part in the three-day Kenya Prisons Athletics Championship set to kick off on Thursday.

Star attractions include 2016 Paris Marathon Champion Vyclinne Jepkesho, 5000M London Olympics Silver medalist Thomas Longosiwa, 400M hurdles National Champion Maurine Chelagat, Vincent Kosgei, Charles Cheruiyot 1500M and Silas Kiplagat.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Prisons Coach Stephen Mwaniki said the team is prepared well. The short races team will represent Prisons at the National Championships which will take place towards the end of the month.

“We have done final preparations for the Prisons’ Championship. Although the events will take place in various places, our coordination is properly guided,” said Mwaniki.

“On Thursday, we shall start with volleyball at Nairobi West Prisons and archery at Prisons’ School in Ruiru.”

On Friday, at the Nyayo National Stadium, there will be two events; volleyball finals and start of track and field events. The finals will be held on Saturday at the same venue.

“I’m hopeful that Vincent Kosgey and Maureen Chelagat will be in shape since Chelagat has already qualified for Rio Summer Olympics 400M event.”

“Ibrahim Muhia will be making a comeback after being out for a period of two years following an injury. With new entrants like Pius Muhia, who was based in Bahamas and is now employed by prisons, we expect stiff competition in the 200M bearing in mind that Stephen Baraza will also be participating.”