UAF praises world record-holders for gracing National Mountain Race

ATHLETICS | UAF | MT RACE

Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) has lavished praise to world record holders and champions for attending Saturday's National Mountain Race Championships 2022.

It emanates from the fact that Joshua Cheptegei, world multiple record-holder, champion and 10000m Olympics reigning winner headlined the event.

Half Marathon world record-holder and champion Jacob Kiplimo joined Cheptegei in spectating the 12.5km annual road running competition.

Olympic defending champion Peruth Chemutai also turned up to cheer and motivate the crop of the country’s closely watched prospects to tussle it out for the bragging rights.

Notable attendees also included 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mercyline Chemutai who actually took it a notch higher by joining the race from start to finish showing the juniors how it is done.

Cannes 10K France defending bronze medallist Abel Sikowo, recently crowned World Islamic Solidarity Games medallists Janat Chemusto and Abel Chebet were also in attendance.

The superstars are so popular among fellow athletes, particularly the budding stars who kept gazing at them in admiration while some bravely confident ones went all the way to share their experiences with the world’s best.

“I am humbled by our world champions who would have chosen to spend this morning at the comfort of their homes, businesses or recreational centers but came and to watch the next generations of stars,” Lawrance Kavuma, UAF Vice President, Administration said.

He further remarked; “Your being here alone gives ever-lasting assurance and hope to most of these youngsters who will be here representing Uganda internationally when we are all gone.”

 Benjamin Njia, Vice President Technical concluded that with the kind of role-models Ugandan juniors have at their disposal, the future will be bright.

“They are thoughtful, kind, humble, down-to-earth and supportive and that is way more than what an aspiring athlete needs to become great,” Njia said.

Meanwhile, the officials also commended the participants for producing a quality show on the course that stretches from Kapchorwa town to Teryet.

Victories belonged to KCCA’s Joel Ayeko in senior mens’ category, Prison’s Rispa Cherop bossed the senior women's field while Joshua Cheptegei’s Academy teenage runner Felista Chekwemboi won the junior women's gold.

Earlier on in the day, Aziz Chebet of Prisons was too good for his rivals in the junior men category.

Hundreds of spectators staged all round the course to watch and cheer the runners race for glory.