Sawe hopeful as Wanyonyi, Anyango headline World Cross Country team

Kenya’s team to the eagerly anticipated 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships is finalizing its preparation ahead of Saturday’s, March 30 showdown.

The strong squad which has several world record holders will leave the country later this week for Belgrade, Serbia where the one-day event is expected to take place.

Emmaculate Anyango Achol headlines the women’s 10km senior squad alongside the likes of Lilian Kasait Rengeruk and the recently crowned 10K world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich.

The reigning 5km world record holder Beatrice Chebet, Margaret Chelimo and Cintia Chepngeno have also made the cut.

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Chebet heads to Belgrade as the defending champion and will be seeking to add another title to her trophy cabinet.

Ngetich, who won the national cross-country title a few weeks ago, has also been tipped by many athletics fans to perform well in the event which will be staged at the famous Park of Friendship.

In the men’s 10km senior category, 2023 world road running championships winner Sabastian Kimaru Sawe will team up with Nicholas Kipkorir, Samwel Chebolei Masai, Gideon Rono, Benson Kiplagat and Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui.

The six runners head to Belgrade seeking to reclaim the title from their Ugandan rivals who have triumphed in the recent two editions.

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Joshua Cheptegei won the title in 2019 before his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo claimed it at the 2023 edition which was held in Bathurst, Australia.

In an exclusive interview with SportPesa News, Sawe remained optimistic of posting a brilliant performance on Saturday.

“My preparations for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships are going on smoothly. I haven’t faced any challenges and everything is going on well. Kenyans should expect something good from me and my colleagues because we will work together in the race,” he commented.

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When asked whether he feels any pressure ahead of the race, Kimaru stated that it is normal for athletes to feel a little bit anxious before such big events.

Meanwhile, one-time Diamond League final winner Emmanuel Wanyonyi has been tasked with the responsibility of helping Kenya clinch the 4x2 km mixed relay title.

The mixed relay team also has 1500m junior world record holder Reynold Cheruiyot, Kyumbe Munguti, Mirriam Cherop, Purity Chepkirui and Virginia Nyambura.

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Kenya’s team to the World Athletics Cross Country Championships

10km senior women category

Beatrice Chebet

Emmaculate Anyango

Agnes Jebet Ngetich

Cintia Chepngeno

Margaret Chelimo

Lilian Kasait

10km senior men category

Sabastian Sawe

Samwel Chebolei

Nicholas Kipkorir

Gideon Rono

Benson Kiplangat

Ishmael Kipkurui

8km U20 junior men category

Shadrack Rono

Charles Rotich

Samuel Kibathi

Johana Erot

Matthew Kipkoech

Gideon Kipngetich

6km U20 junior women category

Diana Chepkemoi

Deborah Chemutai

Diana Cherotich

Mercy Chepkemoi

Sheila Jebet