Mneria seeks place at Commonwealth Games in England
Charles Mneria is focusing on representing Kenya at the Commonwealth Games that are scheduled for July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, England.
Mneria, who won bronze in the senior men’s race at the 2016 Africa Cross Country Championships in Cameroon says he has been training well in anticipation of the Games.
He won the men’s 10,000m on the opening day of the annual Kenya Prisons Service Athletics Championships that ended at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani over the weekend.
Representing the Coast region, Mneria led for the better part of the 25 lap race event to win in 25:56.4. Nairobi region’s Geoffrey Korir finished second n 28:56.8. while Wilfred Kimutai of the Western region was third in 29:08.6
Korir tried to keep pace with Mneria from the fifth lap, the two breaking away from the pack and opening a huge gap from the chasing group. Mneria revealed that the nagging injury that has troubled him since 2017 is now healed.
“I am targeting Commonwealth Games because I know it can be tough to make it to the World Championships given the top athletes we have in Kenya.
If I get more than the Commonwealth Games I will gladly take it, being my first race on the track this season I want to improve my performance and time before we hold the trials,” shared Mneria.
Mneria noted that even though Kenya faces a tough battle in 10,000m, the country has a good mix capable of ending the drought at major championships.
“What is important are preparations as well as execution during the competition day. Right now, we need to identify the probable athletes and help them prepare,” explained Mneria.
The trials for the Commonwealth Games trials will be staged from May 20 to 21 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani while those for at the same venue.
