Manuel Ochieng put in work
JKUAT second year student pursuing Bachelor of Science in Project Management is set for the National Duathlon trials in Watamu as focus shifts on 2020 International Triathlon Union World Multisport Championship in Almere, Netherlands.
Manuel Ochieng, who also participates in Triathlon, has decided to focus on duathlon that involves both cycling and running. The selection of the Kenya Team for the 2020 ITU World Multisport Championships will be held in Watamu on the weekend of October 20 2019.
“I shifted my focus to Duathlon last year, which is quickly growing and has attracted a lot of cyclists and runners.”
This year, Manuel wants to build on last year’s World Multisport Duathlon Championship trials performance where he emerged 7th overall. In 2018, Manuel also participated in the National Triathlon trials for the Youth Games and finished third. To build on his core and fitness for the duathlon, Manuel has focused on triathlon for his training. Triathlon involves swimming, cycling and running.
‘I want to do sprint Duathlon to attain the fastest time and a good position then hopefully progress to standard Duathlon in February,” said Manuel who is confident that he will have a successful trial and represent the Kenya Team in Netherlands.
Duathlon requires perfection in two domains, running and cycling. It is s an athletic event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg in a format similar to Triathlons.
Manuel trains in Eldoret because of the advantage of high altitude and also trains and competes with some well-known elites in the long and middle distance races. While in JKUAT, Manuel utilizes the farm area for training but mostly doing runs as the terrain is not conducive for bike training.
After the trials, athletes who meet the elite qualification times, will receive full sponsorship to attend the 2020 Championships in Netherlands including return-air tickets.
On the sustainability of the sports, Manuel hopes that more students will be willing to take up the sports as it gains popularity in the country.