The 2017 edition of the National Cross Country Championship has been brought forward to December 23 at Kicukiro stadium.

According to Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) technical director, John Peter Ndacyayisenga, the annual event was initially scheduled for January 7, 2017 but after Rwanda received an invitation to take part in the pre-World Cross-Country Championship race slated for January 14 in Uganda, the federation decided to the bring forward the national championship.

Uganda will host the 2017 World Cross-Country Championship on March 23 at Kololo Ceremonial grounds in Kampala.

"The national cross-country championship has been rescheduled to December 23 after we received an invitation from Uganda to participate in a pre-world championship event on January 14,” said Ndacyayisenga. The national cross-country championship is expected to attract about 300 athletes including men and women.

The senior men and women category will compete in 10km while the junior men will race in 8km and their female counterparts will do 6km.

In a bid to prepare well for world championship, Ndacyayisenga noted that RAF will organize another cross country race next year on February 5 from which the four teams to represent the country will be announced. The four teams include; senior men and women as well as junior men and women.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw