'Over Distance': Local athletes make good times

PIC: Women athletes compete in the 1500m Over Distance competition at Makerere. (Credit: Silvano Kibuuka)

Athletes from various clubs in the country showed determination and made good times during the ‘Over Distance' competition at Makerere University on Saturday.

The event is staged to prepare athletes for the new season.

"Runners are timed to run distances longer than their normal competitions just as a wake-up call and to prove that they will be in for the event in the year," said Faustino Chiwa, Uganda Athletics Federation technical officer.

"This event always precedes the first national athletics championship that will take place at Namboole on March 4."

Runners for 100m had to go for 150m while those of 200m had to make 300m in the sense of over distance trials.

Long jumpers and javelin throwers also participated in the event.

Meanwhile runners Ronald Musagala, Geoffrey Ruto and Abu Mayanja have joined World Cross Country national team to participate in the mixed relays.

The women who qualified included Dorcus Ajok, Winnie Nanyondo and Esther Chebet.

They all qualified at Kololo in a 2km event and will be joining the World Cross Country team currently training in Bukwo in Kapchorwa in the eastern part of Uganda.