AK President Jack Tuwei stresses the importance of Cross Country for athletes as Tokyo 2025 looms

Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei has emphasized the importance of cross-country events in preparing athletes for the upcoming Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships. The AK cross-country series kicked off over the weekend in Machakos.

Tuwei called on all Kenyan athletes to make the most of the series.

"We have launched our calendar for the events starting from now because our season normally begins in October. Cross-country championships are an integral part of that program, and I want to encourage all athletes to begin their preparations early. When you get into good shape early, you are likely to maintain that form throughout the season,” he said.

The AK Cross Country series will include six events, with races scheduled in Kapsokwony, Iten, and Ol Kalau, among other locations. Tuwei urged athletes to take these races seriously as they work toward peak performance in 2025, explaining that cross-country races offer crucial conditioning that can set the tone for a successful season.

By prioritizing these early competitions, athletes can develop the endurance and mental toughness needed to excel not only in local competitions but also on the global track stage. “We are doing the actual work, and it’s time for our athletes to follow suit,” he offered.

Success stories from cross-country competitions

Athletes like Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Beatrice Chebet are a testament to how cross-country races have shaped performances and built a foundation for dominant seasons.

This season, Wanyonyi began his journey with a victory in the men’s 2km race at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country. From there, he surged ahead, capping his season as the world’s fastest man over 800m while claiming both the Olympic and Diamond League titles.

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Similarly, double Olympic championChebet has attributed much of her success to cross-country. After competing in a series of cross-country races early in the year, she defended her World Cross Country title in Belgrade, which set the stage for her historic season.

Chebet went on to shatter the 10,000m world record at the Prefontaine Classic and secured gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the Olympic Games, cementing her status as one of the all-time greats.

1,500m queen Faith Kipyegon also began her record-breaking season with a victory at the Sirikwa Classic last year, and oh boy, did she not have a glamorous season?

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