This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
Kenya's top athletes are set to converge at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani for the Kenya Prisons Service Athletics championships, which kick off on July 19, 2019.
Alice Aprot, the 2015 African 10,000m champion, is among the top contenders, seeking to bounce back to winning ways after struggling with a long-term injury.
Despite not being fully fit, Aprot expressed confidence in her ability to compete, saying, “Although I am not fully fit my body is currently responding well and I am ready to fight and see what happens. I know it will be very competitive especially since we have new blood in the team, and everybody is of course targeting the World Championships,”
Other top athletes competing in the championships include Visiline Jepkesho, the 2016 Paris marathon champion, and Mercy Wanjiru, who will be competing as a guest.
The championships will also feature World Under-20 3000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol, who will double in 1500m and 3000m steeplechase, and world 1500m silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, who will compete in 800m.
Former World Cross Country champion Lilian Kasait will defend her title in 5000m, while Cornelius Kangogo will battle it out with 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa in the men's contest.
Prisons coach Gideon Chirchir expressed confidence in the team's preparation, saying, “I have met with the athletes at our Prisons Training Staff Training College in Ruiru and I expect a very tough competition starting tomorrow where we have also invited quite a number of guest athletes,”
