Kenya eyes domination in Africa Cross Country Championships

NAIROBI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenya intends to enter a strong team for the Africa Cross Country Championships in Algeria in March, athletics official said on Thursday.

Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said Kenya has dominated the event and will not relent as it wants more athletes to get exposure and build on their endurance ahead of the track season, which starts in April with the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia.

"We will name a strong team for the Africa cross country in February. This will be done during the National Cross Country Championships, which will act as trials for the fifth Africa Cross Country Championships," said Tuwei.

The Africa championships will be held in Chelf, Algeria on March 17. However, athletes aiming to compete in the event must take serious build up competition locally and in Europe to strengthen their muscles and gauge their preparedness.

"I call upon all athletes to continue with their preparations for the continental assignment," he added.

Kenya won all the five editions of the Africa Cross Country that have taken place from the inaugural event in 1985 and since it resumed in 2011.

At the same time, athletes wishing to compete in World Indoor Championships in Birmingham must also secure required qualification time well in advance. The 2018 World Indoor Championships will be held from March 1-4.

The qualification system will combine a set of entry standards and invitations based on performance lists.

The qualification period for all disciplines except the combined events began on Jan 1 January and will run through to Feb. 19, 2018. Enditem