Coast cross country senior women's winner Nthei may run juniors

This year’s Coast Region Cross Country Championship senior women's 10km winner Rose Nthei may find herself competing in a race she did not want to at the nationals in Eldoret.

The 15-year-old Standard Seven pupil at Kidongu PriaNthei, who won the coast race in 35 minutes 25 seconds, said she deliberately decided to run against seniors to get a chance to compete against the country's top runners during the National Cross Country Championship in Eldoret.

"I do not expect to win the national event but I want to see how these big name athletes run so I can learn something from them. I am already excited at the prospect,” she said.

Her coach Geoffrey Sembule said this of Nthei: "I insisted that she would do better in the shorter distance event but she refused and decided to fight for the 10km title.

However, Athletics Kenya (AK) Coast branch secretary Felix Ngala that the team management would decided which race Nthei would participate in Eldoret.

The coast team has reported for training camp at Ngerenyi Farmers Training Centre in Wundanyi.

“We’ll let you know on Monday or Tuesday as to which event Rose (Nthei) will be running in Eldoret,” said Ngala.

Another junior to attract interest was 15-year-old Standard Eight pupil of Mvuru Primary School of Mwatate sub-county, Ruth Kaige who won the junior women's 6km race in 21:00.0.

Kaige said she was happy to have won the event and qualify for the national event which she will be participating in for the first time. “I want to gain exposure at the national championships and see how it goes from there,” she said.
The Coast team is expected to leave for Eldoret on Wednesday.