By KPC Sports Correspondent
Two students from the University of Eldoret are aiming to qualify for the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Cross Country Championships to be held in March.
Nicholas Ekeno and Gomeri Chebet are already preparing for the competition, which will be held between March 14th and 15th in Casale Monferrato, Italy.
The duo will line up against hundreds of university athletes during the Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) national trials scheduled for Saturday the 31st at South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) in Kitui County.
Speaking after their final training session at Kitui Stadium on Friday evening, the two said they were fully prepared following last weekend’s regional conference trials held across the country.
Team captain Ekeno said missing out on selection for the 2025 World University Games in Germany served as motivation to refocus and target a place at the World Cross Country Championships.
The third-year student, who draws inspiration from newly crowned World Cross Country bronze medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, expressed confidence ahead of the trials.
“As captain, I want to do my best for the title because I have trained well. We are here to compete and qualify as a team, not just to participate. Our rivals should come well prepared,” said Ekeno.
Ekeno earned his national trials slot after finishing second in both the 10,000m and 3,000m events at the Rift Valley Conference Championships held at Kabarak University last weekend.
“All my teammates qualified at the conference championships. We want to perform well, just like Ebenyo who trains on our grounds. He is a fighter and an inspiration to us,” he added.
Chebet, a second-year Bachelor of Education (Science) student, is equally determined to secure a ticket to Italy after an impressive showing at the regional trials.
“I want to make the team to Italy and continue nurturing my talent. I have focused on speed work, and last weekend I won both the 10,000m and 3,000m to qualify for the national trials. I feel ready and I want to win,” said Chebet.
Chebet revealed that her athletics career began at university, having previously played volleyball in high school.
“In primary school, I competed in the 1,500m, but in high school I played volleyball. The morning runs helped me realise that I could do well in athletics,” she said.