A phenomenon running maestro, Jacob Kiplimo does not need any form of introduction to world athletics.

The 22-world record holder (half marathon 57:31 Lisbon, Portugal) is preparing to embroil himself in another quest for greatness at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, New Wales, Australia.

 The trick to becoming a good runner is to push your self to the limits and Kiplimo knows more than anyone how that is done.

From being the last edition’s silver medalist (2019), Kiplimo has set his eyes on the real gong.

“My target is to push myself to the very highest level possible and if that results in a title, I will be gratified,” Kiplimo, the world champion over the 21km distance, said.  

The Olympics bronze medalist (2020), who hails from Kween district, added: “I hope I will be able to go all the way to the victory. Let’s hope so”.

Jacob Kiplimo is considered one of the greatest runners of all time despite being only 22 years of age.

His fans have all reasons to be expectant owing to the fact that the Rosa Association International Sports management agency icon has looked sharp, hungry, angry and mentally composed at Trinity Biblical Institute (TBI) Kapchorwa, the national training camp.

“The training is going on so well. My body is reacting positively to every part of the programme,” Kiplimo said last week.

His coach, Peter Chelangat and the national coaching colleagues Benjamin Njia, Quinto Oding and Francis Demayi have been taking Kiplimo and co through fartlek, speed-work, long run, tempo run and slow run training sessions.

Other areas being emphasised, include easy run, drills, road work, speed control, pacing and mental composure.  

Kiplimo’s last competitive race dates back to December 2022 at the Uganda Regional Cross Country championships where he finished victorious at Tuban Primary School, Kapchorwa district.

Prior, the star runner debuted in the Greater North Run in Newcastle, England in the UK where he overpowered Ethiopia’s Kennenisa Bekele to win the prestigious gold medal.

Kiplimo and Musingyo doing duels on Friday 3 Feb 2023 at TBI national training camp ahead of World Cross Country Championships Australia

Kiplimo was only returning to England weeks after producing a world-class act to win double gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which the city of Birmingham played host to.

It is with no doubt that the Uganda Wildlife Authority Athletics Club athlete heads to Australia with such stunning form hoping to extend his winning streak.

Other runners included in the senior men's national team for the world cross country championships 2023 are Olympics double gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei, Police’s Martin Kiprotich Magengo, KCCA’s Rogers Kibet, Prison’s Isaac Kibet and prudently talented Samuel Kibet.

Kiplimo is in good shape and mentally positive ahead of the championships.

Despite their impressive show during the last edition of the championship, Thomas Ayeko and Joel Ayeko both missed out on qualification hence their omission from the travelling team.