Athletes set for Ol Kalou meet on Saturday

Athletes battle out during the 10KM senior men race at Bomet AK Cross Country meet held at Kyogong Grounds.[Gilbert Kimutai,Standard]

A big turnout of athletes is expected at the fourth Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country meeting set for Saturday in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County.

The build-up meetings started in Machakos County in October, before heading to Kapsokwony in Mount Elgon with Bomet hosting the third leg two weeks ago which saw Agnes Jebet and Daniel Ebenyo emerging victorious.

Athletics Kenya Central Region and national treasurer David Miano said they expect many athletes as the Central region hosts many athletics training camps especially in Nyahururu.

The meeting will entail all the five categories; 10km senior men and women, 8km junior men, 6km junior women and mixed relay.

"Arrangements for the fourth AK cross country 2023/24 calendar series at Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County are now in place, AK central region, AK Nyandarua and the County Government of Nyandarua have now completed the preparation.

"This being one of the largest cross country events before the national championships, we expect huge turnout, that's why we are requesting athletes to grace this event as part of their preparation towards the busy 2024 season that culminates with the Paris Olympics," said Miano.

He added: "The course will be among the toughest routes and has been finalised and it will be great for athletes to challenge their endurance, remember we also have many training camps in Nyahururu which is a high-altitude training centre and entry is free."

The fifth and final cross-country meeting will be held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 25 with the national championships slated for February 24 at the Prisons Staff Training College, in Ruiru.