30th World Mountain Running Championships:
Sun, 14th September 2014
Tallinn, Italy.
Seven of the 8 members of the Uganda Mountain running team have been flagged off at Lugogo by the National Council of Sports (NCS) general secretary, Jasper Aligawesa.
Apart from James Kibet, who is currently based in Italy, the rest of the team members were present at the flag off where SN Brussels gave out 8 return air tickets worth $ 1200 (about U.shs 30M).
“Emulate last year’s winning team in Poland and return with medals. I wish the best to each member on the team”, Aligawesa urged.
Brussels Airlines’ country manager, Sebastian Spijkers wished the team fruitful deliberations ahead of the championships and promised a positive continued relationship with the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF).
The team will depart from Entebbe International Airport on Wednesday night and they are expected to reach Italy on Thursday before conducting acclimatization laps on Friday and Saturday.
The main event will take place on Sunday at the Casette di Massa, located at the foot of the Apuan Alps in the Tuscany region of Italy.
Team Uganda At a Glance
Seniors (Men)
Daniel Rotich (Captain) Born on 10th October 1992 in Bukwo, Rotich, the team skipper, hopes to lead the rest of his other teammates by example and return great times for team Uganda.
“We have prepared well and we hope to run well in this competition”, a press shy Rotich told the media at Lugogo during the team flag off on Wednesday.
Rotich was 16th at the recently concluded African Cross country championships held at Kololo.
Nathan Ayeko:
He is the only member on the team who participated at last year’s mountain running championships in Krynica Zdroj, Malopolska (Poland).
Ayeko, 20 finished third in the seniors’ race with a time of 55:19. The event was won by Uganda’s hillip Kiplimo after posting 54: 22 minutes. “I hope to build on last year’s experience in Poland”, a confident Ayeko sounded.
Isaac Kiprop:
Across the entire East Africa region, the name Kiprop is a household championship winning tag. When Isaac Kiprop was introduced at the flag off ceremony, every neck craved – looking to catch a glimpse
Kibet Soyekwa:
Like many of his teammates, Kibet will be marking his debut at the world mountain running event but the 22 year old is unfazed by the challenges at the biggest stage.
“We have been having sessions on the rough terrain, raising and sloping grounds, so we are ready for anything”, he said. Finished 16th at the overall at the Africa Cross Country championships.
James Kibet:
The 22 year old athlete will also be have a maiden mountain running championship but believes the training the team has under all forms of conditions. He is currently based in Italy from where he just join the team.
Juniors (Men)
Philip Kipyeko :
At just 19 years, Kipyeko has the steam to maintain the momentum of fast long distance races. He was 6th overall at the World Junior championships and anticipates to build on that experience for a better showing in Italy. He finished 11th at this year’s African Cross country championships.
Juniors (Women):
Stella Chesang:
Born 12th December 1996, Chesang, who finished 10th at the Africa Cross Country championships will be marking her maiden appearance at the world mountain running.
“The training has been good at Bukwo and I have grown up racing in the mountains, I hope to perform well”, Chesanga, a UPDF runner told Kawowo Sports.
Patricia Chekwemboi:
Date of Birth: 27th July 1995
Like Chesang, Chekwemboi will be racing at the world mountain event for the first time. The Uganda Police club athlete, who finished 14th at the Africa Cross Championships feels ready to participate at the big stage.
Kawowo Sports wishes the best Success to team Uganda.