The national U20 trials will be held from May 21-23 at Nyayo Stadium.

A week after dominating the Kip Keino Classic 3, 000m U20 race, sisters Venenza Chebet Masai and Linda Chepkwemoi Masai have now set their sights on the World U20 Championships.

The Kongit Secondary School Form Three students, alongside Grade 10 student Mercy Chepng’eno, dominated the race at the event held at Nyayo Stadium.

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Chebet clocked 9:08.98 while her younger sister came home in 9:10.10. Chepng’eno finished in 9:10.53. The trio also met the qualifying times for the 21^st World Athletics 20 Championships in Oregon, USA in August.

Chebet, the national secondary school’s 6km cross country champion, is confident of making her maiden trip abroad.

“It is my dream to represent the country at an international level. However, we have one hurdle to overcome before that, the national trials. I’m working hard to ensure that I make the team,” said Chebet.

The national U20 trials will be held on May 22-23 at Nyayo Stadium. Invited athletes will pick bib numbers and undergo vetting on May 21.

Chebet added: “During the Kip Keino Classic, I was so happy my sister finished second, and my compatriot was third. We were proud to dominate the race as students of Kingit Secondary. We hope to also continue with the same during national trials.”

“Running at the Kip Keino Classic prepared us for big stage events. Because some of us have never run on a tartan track and before huge fans".

Chepng’eno is also looking forward to the trials. “If I’m invited for the trials, I will do my best. I want to board a place for the first time. Travelling to the US is an extra motivation for me,” said the 16-year-old Grade 10 student.

Chepng’eno is also psyched up ahead of the trials. “The athletes we ran with at the Kip Keino Classic will also be at the trials. I’m ready to challenge for a place in Team Kenya for the WU20 championships. We want to work hard so that we can help our families.”

According to Athletics Kenya Youth Committee secretary Joseph Ilovi, AK will select a provisional team during the trials.

He said they are currently working on the list of athletes to invite and the qualifying criteria. Invited athletes must have a passport and an original birth certificate.

“We shall select a provisional team because we must verify their ages before entering the team for the event. This time, we are very serious about age cheating, which is now an issue in the country,” said Ilovi.