Runner Racheal Zena Chebet was forced out of the Uganda national team by injuries sustained from a terrible car accident.
The Prisons Athletics Club athlete allowed her fate and worked hard to get back to her best of competing at the highest level.
On Saturday, Chebet smiled again, with the fastest time at the National Cross Country Championships, crossing the finishing line at 32 minutes, 59 seconds in Tororo.
“I am very lucky because I have made it to team Uganda. Last year I missed out because I was involved in a car accident,” Chebet told Nnalubaale Sports.
She beat Joy Cheptoyek from Arua Athletics Association, by 17 seconds while Loise Chekwemoi from Uganda Wildlife Authority finished in the third position at 33 minutes and 52 seconds.
“I had to work extremely hard to get back to this level and this win means a lot to me. I feel I am ready to go out there and represent my country.”
In the male category, long-distance runner and World Cross Country championships great Jacob Kiplimo reached home first.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority runner and reigning World Cross Country champion secured the 10km meter race victory in 29 minutes, and 3 seconds.
Dan Kibet from the Uganda Prison Services followed in the second position as he crossed the finishing line 6 seconds slower, followed by teammate Hosea Kiplangat who posted 29 minutes and 14 seconds.
“It was hard with serious competition from the boys and the hot conditions didn’t help much,” Kiplimo who is set to defend the global accolade noted.
This year’s event had new categories like the U12 kids, and U15 kids, which curtain raised for the juniors, seniors, and the Master’s category.
According to Benjamin Njia, the Uganda Athletics Federation Vice President of Technical the team is expected to report for national duty next week.
“We expect the selected runners at the National Training Camp in Kapchorwa before February 20th in preparation for the World Cross Country championships scheduled for March 30th, 2024 in Belgrade Serbia.”
