Iten first stop as AK releases 2024/25 season calendar

Cross Country kicks off the athletics new campaign with the first leg of the weekend meeting scheduled to be held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet on October 19 before the five-leg series heads to Machakos County on November 2.

Bomet, Olkalau and Kisii will then host the remaining three Cross Country Series weekend meetings on November 30, December 14 and January 4 respectively.

Action will then shift to the County Cross Country Championships set for January 14 followed by the Regional Cross Country Championships on January 25 that will see regional top performers clash at the National Cross Country Championships on February 8 in Ruiru, Kiambu County.

The cross country season will then culminate with the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour scheduled for February 23 at Lobo Village in Eldoret.

Track and Field/Relay Series season will roll on February 13-15 with Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega playing host to the first weekend meet.

Nyeri’s Ruringu Stadium (Februray 27-1 March), Ulinzi Sports Complex (March 13-15), Kipkeino Stadium (April 3-5), Nakuru Stadium (April 24-26) and Kisumu Stadium (May 15-17) will host the other track meets respectively.

The World Athletics Indoor Championships will be held from March 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China.

AK will select its team for the World Athletics Relays on April 11-12 at Nyayo Stadium with the global event slated for May 10-11 in Guangzhou, China.

The fifth edition of the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, will be held on May 31 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Kenya will pick her team for the 2025 World Championships in June and July before the event runs from September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan.

Meanwhile, AK have successfully registered over 5,000 athletes through the newly launched registration system, marking a significant step towards transforming the management of the sport.

AK’s Youth and Development Director, Barnaba Korir, emphasized that the new system will address persistent issues such as fraud, mismanagement, and exploitation by unscrupulous coaches.

“We have already registered more than 5,000 athletes, and our target is 10,000. Anyone not in this system will not be allowed to compete,” Korir stated.

Korir further stressed the importance of safeguarding athletes, particularly women, from individuals who pretend to be coaches or officials, exploiting vulnerable athletes.

“There are too many pretenders out there posing as coaches, boyfriends, or officials who prey on these vulnerable athletes. It’s shocking that this behaviour is allowed to persist when the community knows who they are.”

“Why get involved in something damaging to your career? If you see a problem, speak out.”

The athletics governing body unveiled the new system in July, announcing that starting January 1, 2025, all services would be exclusively available to registered athletes.

The new registration system not only ensures secure data management but also strengthens AK –ADAK anti-doping efforts as the AK registration team remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy on doping.

“We’ll also be able to monitor athletes who may be engaging in doping activities,” he added.

The registration drive, which recently concluded in Nyahururu, will now move to Chepsaita as AK aims to have all athletes properly accounted for ahead of next year’s key competitions.

1. Nyahururu – Nyahururu Stadium: 19th September 2024

2. Chepsaita – Chepkomel Dispensary, Chepsaita: 21st September 2024

                 Karatina Stadium: 23rd September 2024

8. Meru – DEB Township Primary School: 28th September 2024