University of Eldoret duo set sights on FISU World Cross Country qualification
By Kass Sports,
Two athletes from the University of Eldoret, Nicholas Ekeno and Gomeri Chebet, are eyeing qualification for the 2026 FISU World University Cross Country Championships set for March 14–15 in Casale Monferrato, Italy, as they line up for the Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) national trials this weekend.
The duo will be among hundreds of university athletes competing for national honours during the KUSF trials scheduled for Saturday, January 31, at South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) in Kitui County.
The trials bring together top performers from regional university conferences held across the country last weekend and serve as the final pathway to selection for Team Kenya to Italy.
Speaking after their final training session at Kitui Stadium on Friday evening, both athletes expressed confidence in their preparation and readiness to compete at the highest level. The pair said the intensity of the regional conference championships has sharpened their form and mental strength ahead of the national showdown.
Team captain Nicholas Ekeno revealed that missing out on selection for the 2025 World University Games in Germany became a turning point in his career, pushing him to refocus and set his sights firmly on the World University Cross Country Championships.
The third-year student said the setback motivated him to train harder and approach competition with renewed hunger. Drawing inspiration from newly crowned World Cross Country bronze medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, Ekeno believes discipline, consistency and belief will be key in Kitui.
“As a captain, I want to give my best and fight for the title. I have trained well and I feel ready. We are here to win and qualify as a team. We are not here just to participate, we are here to compete. Anyone coming here should be well prepared,” said Ekeno.
Ekeno secured his place at the national trials after finishing second in both the 10,000m and 3,000m events during the Rift Valley Conference Championships held at Kabarak University last weekend. He added that the entire University of Eldoret athletics team successfully qualified during the conference stage, boosting morale and team confidence ahead of the national trials.
“All my teammates qualified at the conference level. We want to do our best at nationals, just like Ebenyo, who trains on the same grounds as us. He is a fighter and that inspires us every day,” Ekeno noted.
On her part, Gomeri Chebet is equally determined to shine and secure her ticket to Italy. The second-year Bachelor of Education (Science) student said she is in top shape and eager to test herself against the best university runners in the country.
“My goal is to make the team to Italy and continue developing my talent. I have focused a lot on speed work in training, and last weekend I won both the 10,000m and 3,000m races to qualify for these national trials. I feel well prepared and I want to win and earn a slot,” said Chebet.
Chebet’s athletics journey is a relatively recent one, having transitioned into competitive running at the university level. She revealed that she previously played volleyball during her high school years, only discovering her potential in athletics through regular training.
“In primary school, I used to run the 1,500m, but in high school I focused on volleyball. The morning runs at university helped me realise I could do well in athletics, and from there I decided to take it seriously,” she explained.
As the KUSF national trials take centre stage in Kitui County, all eyes will be on athletes like Ekeno and Chebet as they chase national glory and the chance to represent Kenya on the global university athletics stage in Italy.
