Training in the Kenyan hills means they have one simple aim - to win medals at the championships scheduled for August in London, United Kingdom, according to Athletics Tanzania (AT).
Dar es Salaam. The national athletics team will train in Kenya’s western town of Iten, popularly known as the ‘home of champions,” ahead of this year’s World Athletics Championships.
Training in the Kenyan hills means they have one simple aim - to win medals at the championships scheduled for August in London, United Kingdom, according to Athletics Tanzania (AT).
AT assistant secretary general Rehema Killo said yesterday that the runners will be looking to find the secret to IAAF World Championships glory during their camp in Iten.
“Iten prides itself as the “home of champions.” It’s an ideal place for our runners to train ahead of the London championships,” said Killo.
‘We are optimistic that they will use the camping to enrich their running skills. Training alongside world class athletes will enable them to adequately prepare for the race” she added.
She said they want the runners to challenge themselves over new terrain with a greater intensity than ever. They will leave for Kenya early next month.
At 2,400 meters (7,900 feet), the altitude makes Iten an ideal location for established middle- and long-distance athletes to build their endurance and stamina.
Besides athletes, who were born and live in Iten, hundreds more world beaters have chosen the high altitude town as their preferred training location.
Kenyan athletics stars such as marathon world record holder Dennis Kimetto and Olympic 800 meter champion David Rudisha have slogged through their race preparations in Iten.
Britain’s double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah and a host of others have also been training there.
The town also draws less experienced athletes aspiring for glory in high-profile championships, as well as disabled sportsmen and women aiming to compete in the Paralympics.
“We are optimistic that the runners will acquire they skills they need to steal show at the World Championships, during their camp in the high altitude town,” said the AT official.
The runners who have so far qualified for the championships are marathoners Alphonce Felix Simbu, Said Makula, Magdalena Shauri, Ezekiel Jaffary, Stephano Gwandu and Sarah Ramadhan.
Also on the list is middle distance runner Gabriel Gerald, who will compete in the men’s 5000m.
AT needs at least Sh100 millions to facilitate smooth preparations of both senior and youth teams for this year’s international championships.
AT has unveiled a 13-member squad for the World Youth Championships in Nairobi, Kenya later this year.
The runners are Donald Josephat, Joshua Sulle, Seleman Hamisi, Michael Kishibe, Mark Boniface, Shomari Mohamed, Shaban Rashid, Frank Onesmo and Godhat Malando.
The list also has (Female) Winfrida Makenji, Elizabeth Mathias, Rose Seif, Betrina Michael and Kelfina Kifini.
