High-flying Anyango sets sights on a podium finish in Paris, Belgrade

Rising 10,000m star Emmaculate Anyango will be gunning for a podium finish at the upcoming World Cross Country Championship scheduled for March 30 in Belgrade, Serbia, and the Paris Olympic Games, due for July 26 to August 11 in the French capital.

Her remarks come after winning the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Gold Tour at the Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, on Saturday.

"After this, I am now preparing for the world cross championships, where I hope to finish on the podium. If I get gold, silver or bronze I will be grateful because I will fight to make my fans happy." Said Anyango.

If she successfully makes the cut for Team Kenya, it will be the first time she will be representing the country at the highest level.

She only needed one lap to turn the women’s 10km race into a solo run dropping her competitors by every stride, including former New York City marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei who crossed the finishing line in 32 minutes and 55 seconds ahead of Jepkosgei, who timed 33 minutes and 10 seconds, and Catherine Reline sealed the podium.

Her spectacular rise continues unabated after the 2019 Africa Under-20 3,000m silver medalist claimed a double within a week.

Anyango, 23, ran the second fastest time of 28:57 in 10km during the Valencia Ibercaja 10km Road race in Valencia, Spain on January 14 this year before winning the Discovery Cross Country on Sunday last week in Eldoret.

The Sirikwa Classic Cross Country provided a perfect ground for some of the elite athletes to prepare for high profile events like the world indoor championship in Glasgow, Scotland the world cross country championship in Belgrade Serbia and the Paris Olympics.