Age Is Just a Number: Six Veteran Athletes from Elgeyo Marakwet Earn Kenya Call-Up for World Masters Championships

 Six veteran athletes from Elgeyo Marakwet County have secured places in Kenya’s national team for the upcoming World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, scheduled for August, following impressive performances at the National Masters Championship in Nairobi.

The athletes earned their slots after excelling at the championships held at Ulinzi Sports Complex, where competitors aged 35 years and above battled for national team selection.

Elgeyo Marakwet emerged as one of the top-performing counties at the event, with six of its 21 participants qualifying to represent the country on the international stage.

The successful team, led by County Masters Athletics Chairman Aaron Chumo, officially handed back the county flag to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Michael Kibiwott, during a courtesy visit to the Governor’s office to mark their achievement.

Speaking during the event, Kibiwott praised the athletes for their dedication and resilience, noting that their success was a clear demonstration that age is no obstacle to sporting excellence.

“The success reflects the county’s growing strength in masters athletics and demonstrates that age is not a barrier to sporting excellence,” said Kibiwott.

The chairman and technical team also expressed appreciation to Governor Wisley Rotich for his continued support of sports development initiatives in the county, which they said has played a key role in nurturing talent across all age categories.

Also present during the ceremony was the department’s Director of Sports, Silas Kiplagat.

Among those selected for Team Kenya is 73-year-old Julius Bilat, who qualified in both the 10,000 metres and 1,500 metres events, underlining the remarkable endurance and determination of the county’s veteran athletes.

The athletes who qualified to represent Kenya are:

• Francis Bowen (52) – 10,000m and 5,000m

• Rosalyne David (50) – 10,000m and 5,000m

• Leonida Opiyo (58) – 1,500m and 5,000m

• Paul Kipkorir (45) – 10,000m

• Florence Chepsoi (42) – 10,000m and 1,500m

• Julius Bilat (73) – 10,000m and 1,500m

Their qualification not only highlights the depth of athletic talent in Elgeyo Marakwet but also reinforces the growing prominence of masters athletics in Kenya. As they prepare for the global competition in South Korea, the athletes carry with them the hopes of their county and the nation, proving that passion, discipline and determination transcend age.