World beaters excited as Kenya launches inaugural Mountain and Trail series

From Left- KTB CEO June Chepkemei, World Mountain Running champion Joyce Njeru, Timothy Kibet, PS Tourism John Ololtuaa, Joyline Chepngeno, Philemon Kiriago and Athletics Kenya CEO Susan Kamau. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Over ten world beaters are ready for the inaugural Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Running Series launched by Athletics Kenya and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) in Nairobi on Thursday.

Triple world champion Joyce Njeru can not wait to grace the expected thrilling six-legged series that will start with the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run on January 18, 2025.

The Barngetuny edition will also be used by the Athletics Kenya (AK) to select the Kenya mountain running team to the World Championship slated for Spain next year.

The other series legs include Nyamira (May 1, 2025), Mt.Kenya (June 8, 2025), Aberdares (August 24, 2025), Mt. Longonot ( November 16, 2025) and Mt. Elgon (December 7, 2025).

"I'm happy that Kenya is now taking mountain running a notch higher, and the trail series has landed in the country. I'm confident local athletes will take it seriously like the other road races they flock abroad," Njeru told Standard Sports.

Just like Njeru, double champion Philemon Kiriago can not wait to utilise the local races to his advantage.

"I think the more we have local competitions, the more we will increase our chances for good medals internationally. The six local series will instill in us the confidence needed to be champions abroad, " Kiriago said.

Kiriago, a double World Cup champion, says he will use his training base in Naivasha to work on his speed, steeps, downs and mental toughness before he embarks on the local series.

"I'm also eyeing the Tinderet Barngetuny leg because I want to be in the Kenyan team for Spain where I'm focused to also get another gold," Kiriago said.

The AK Mountain Running chairman, Peter Angwenyi, said several countries including Uganda, Rwanda and Eritrea have confirmed their participation in the Tinderet Barngetuny leg which they will also use as their selection for the World Championships in Spain.

The AK President Jackson Tuwei said Kenya will make a bid to host the Worlds soon.

He said prizes for the established local series will be Sh500,000 and a heifer for top finishers in both men and women's categories.

"Second place will get a sheep, while third place will go home with a goat on top of their individual cash prizes. We intend to reward until position 50 in the categories," Tuwei said.

The KTB Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said the local series will open Kenya as a premier destination for sports, adventure, cultural preservation, sustainability and community impacts.