BY NORMAN KATENDE

THE most experienced Ugandan runner Alex Malinga has dedicated most of his time to giving tips to new entrant Moses Ruguti who will represent Uganda at the World Athletics Championships.

Ruguti is among Uganda's entry of four athletes in the marathon event at the Worlds next week in Berlin, Germany .

Malinga, who has represented Uganda in two Olympics (Sydney’04 and Beijing’08) and two World championships (Helsinki’05 and Osaka’07), has been training together with Amos Masai and Ruguti in Bukwo, where he is sharing with them the experience of running long distance races as a team.

In Helsinki 2005, Malinga finished sixth with a national record on 2:12:12, but this time around, he failed to hit the qualifying mark for the biennial event.

“He has been with them for some time. They are training together. He is encouraging them to follow the whole programme,” said Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru yesterday.

The team departs next week.

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Uganda team
800m
Abraham Chepkirwok
3000mSC
Benjamin Kiplagat
Simon Ayeko
5000m
Moses Kipsiro
Moses Kibet
Geoffrey Kusuro
10000m
Boniface Kiprop
Martin Toroitich
Marathon
Moses Ruguti
Amos Masai
Nicholas Kiprono
Jane Suuto (woman)