Running News Daily

Why The Budapest World Championships Means Everything For Prague Champion Irine Kimais

Prague Half Marathon champion Irine Kimais says she will be overjoyed beyond measure were she to make the team to the World Chmapionships in Budapest, Hungary in August this year.

Kimais revealed she is putting in an extra shift in training as she eyes a first-ever appearance for Team Kenya at the global showpiece.

“I am working extra hard in training because I want to make the national team. My eyes are set on the national trials for the World Championships in the next two weeks. If I manage to make the final team, it would be my greatest happiness. Of course, all that depends on how I perform at the trials,” the South American Half Marathon champion said.

Kimais was a disappointed woman at last year’s national trials for the World Championships in Oregon, United States, after she clocked 32:02.53 to finish fifth in the women’s 10,000m.

On Friday, she went some way towards righting the wrongs of 2022 when she clocked 31:56.37 to win the women’s 10,000m at the Athletics Kenya (AK) National Championships at Nyayo Stadium.

In second place was North Rift’s Catherine Releen who timed 31:57.79 as Chicago Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich clocked 32:09.87 in third place.

Kimais said the win has boosted her morale ahead of a cutthroat fight for a place on the plane to Hungary for the World Championships, come August.

“I came here to see how much more work I have to do before the national trials. I know I now need to work on my time ahead of the competition. I have been training in Kapsabet and I can say, so far so good. I will try my best to ensure I am among those selected in the final team,” she said.