Cheptegei, Kiplimo to skip national cross-country in Tororo

Feb 06, 2020

Cheptegei and Kiplimo were the centre of attraction in the same competition in Tororo last year.

 PHOTO: World champions Cheptegei 
 
World champions Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo will be vividly missing in the National Cross-country in Tororo on Friday.
 
A Uganda Athletics Federation source has revealed that the two stars have chosen to skip the event as they prepare for races in Europe.
 
Cheptegei will be attempting to break the five-kilometer world record at the Herculis Monaco Run the following weekend. Kiplimo will on the same day be competing in Italy.
 
"They could be in Tororo, but they won't run. They have chosen to reserve their strength for the international meets," stated the source.
 
Cheptegei and Kiplimo were the centre of attraction in the same competition in Tororo last year. Kiplimo that time upset Cheptegei by winning the senior men's race.
 
With the big names out, the focus will shift to Police Athletics Club's Moses Kurong Mande Abdallah Janat Chemusto and Peruth Chemutai.

 Jacob Kiplimo is preparing to race in Europe

Prisons have also entered a formidable side led by Olympic and World marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, Jackson Kipron Dorcus Ajok and Rachael Zena.
 
Prisons' head of sports Nalis Bigingo is confident they can upset Police. "My athletes are enjoying good form. This was evident recently when we won the Inter-Forces. We should leave Tororo as overall champions."
 
UAF will use Friday's event to select the team to the sixth Africa Cross-country Championship due on March 1 in Lome, Togo.
 
Sponsored by MTN, the event will see outstanding performers share sh6m in cash prizes.
 
The event will for the second straight year and for the third time ever be staged at Tororo Golf course.
 
Speaking from Tororo on Thursday, UAF publicist Namayo Mawerere said a huge entry of over 500 runners is expected.
 
Mawerere also described the conditions in the eastern town as conducive.
 
"It's been raining here and the weather is neither hot nor cold. These are perfect conditions for any runner, so expect very serious competition."
 

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