Mutai chasing glory on track

Last season, Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) Vincent Mutai did not get the chance to try out for Team Kenya at the World Athletics Championships held in Oregon due to the strict anti-doping rules set for Kenya.

However, the Rongai Athletics Club runner says he is now in the testing pool and all that is left to work on is his performance as he looks to represent the country at the global championship set for Budapest later in the year.

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He opened his 2023 season with a second-place finish at the KDF cross country championship held on Friday 6 January at the Ulinzi Complex, clocking 29:45.5 to finish behind Kandie Kibiwott (29:24.5) and ahead of compatriot Collins Koros (29:51.7).

“I am happy with my performance in the opening race of the year, but there is work to be done,” Mutai offered. “My target is to compete at the World Championships and the first hurdle is to make the time and then compete for a place in the team.”

Mutai admits that the task ahead will be no walk in the park as his personal best time in the 5000m, the distance he is looking to compete in at the world's, is more than a minute and a half slower than the qualifying time set by World Athletics.

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“I am putting in the work as I know I have to be better than everyone else to first make the team and then compete with the rest of the world,” he added.

The athlete will compete at the national cross-country championships set for 21 January in Ruiru as part of his build-up ahead of the track season.

“I will not be looking at who is competing in Ruiru and who is not but trying to push my body and test where I am as I begin the year and ahead of the track season. I will also not be going for time but the endurance and running a good race,” Mutai added.