Champs Kipkorir, Chebet to lead Ndalat assault

Defending champions Noah Kipkorir and Sandra Chebet will lead more than 3,500 athletes expected in this year’s Ndalaat Gaa Cross country set for Ndalaat Gaa Girls high school in Nandi County on Saturday.

This year’s event which will be renamed Isaiah Kiplagat Memorial Cross County to honor the departed long serving former Athletics Kenya Chairman Isaiah Kiplagat, who pioneered the event 10 years ago to nature talent in the area.

Event organising committee member in charge of technical Kennedy Tanui, says routes will remain unchanged from last year but spectator areas will be enhanced to accommodate the expected larger numbers.

“This is the first in a series of cross country events in the country and a good place to start preparations for the track and cross country events. We are very proud and our aim is to give the best as athletes focus on next year’s 43rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark on March 23,” Tanui said.

Quite a number of Marathoners are also expected to grace the one day event to gauge their form ahead of a packed road running season.

“We have so many athletes who have used Ndaalat Gaa to launch their careers the likes of Priscah Jeptoo and Joseph Ebuya. Since its inception 10 years ago this is the most attended event by athletes in east Africa, and being held in the village outside the main towns we attract so many upcoming athletes,” Tanui added.

The race will feature different categories ranging from the age of 4 years to 60, with school teams taking part in a 2km 4-6 years boys and girls race, 4km 7-10 years boys and girls race, 6km girls secondary school team race, 8km secondary school boys team race, 4km senior men and women elite race, 6km senior women (Elite), 10km senior men (Elite), 4km for 35-45 years, 4km for men 40-50 years old and 2km race for over 46 year old men.