Longosiwa set for return at Prisons cross country meet

Thomas Longosiwa celebrates crossing the finishing line to win a past race. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • The 37-year-old Longosiwa has recovered from a spinal injury that locked him out of last season’s action and has declared himself fit and ready for the big return.
  • In the women’s race, Alice Aprot will be seeking her fourth title as she goes head-to-head with Cellphine Chespol.
  • Also in contention at the women’s race are former Paris Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho, who finished third last year, Caroline Biwott, Nancy Nzisa and Catherine Syokau.

The 2012 Olympic Games 5,000m bronze medallist Thomas Longosiwa will make a return to local action after one year break when the Kenya Prisons Service Cross Country Championships go down on Saturday at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru.

The 37-year-old Longosiwa has recovered from a spinal injury that locked him out of last season’s action and has declared himself fit and ready for the big return.

“I have had many challenges but I am glad that I have made a slow but smooth return,” said Longosiwa, who has been training for the last four months in Iten.
“I am about 60 per cent ready but I hope for the best.”

Longosiwa last represented Kenya at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville where he settled for bronze in 5,000m. He finished fourth during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games trials but got a call up in the national team only to be dropped later.

Longosiwa should expect a tough battle against defending champion Cornelius Kangogo, who claimed his maiden crown last year. “I know it will be a tall order but I am keen to see how my body will respond after a long break,” said Longosiwa.

Kangogo, the 2015 Africa Cross Country silver medallist, stunned 2016 Africa 5,000m bronze medallist Mangata Ndiwa (Western) and 2015 Africa 10,000m silver medallist Wilfred Kimitei for the title.

Ndiwa and Kimitei are back to chase the title again.

In the women’s race, Alice Aprot will be seeking her fourth title as she goes head-to-head with Cellphine Chespol.

Aprot, the 2017 World Cross Country silver medallist, edged out Chespol, the 2017 World Cross Country Under-20 bronze medallist, to second place last year.

“I have been experiencing some sore legs and a terrible cold but that won’t deter me from defending my title,” said Aprot, who competed at Nyandarua and Kapsokwony legs of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series, finishing second and fourth respectively.

Aprot said that she will be a marked person especially from her rivals who are out to halt her dominance especially the in form Chespol, who retained her World Cross Country Under-20 3,000m steeplechase title in a Championship Record time of 9:12.78 last July in Finland.

Chespol, 19, the 2015 World Under-18 2,000m steeplechase champion, also claimed the Africa Cross Country senior women’s 10km title last year in Chlef, Algeria.
Also in contention at the women’s race are former Paris Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho, who finished third last year, Caroline Biwott, Nancy Nzisa and Catherine Syokau.