Kampala — JACKLINE Cherutwo guns for her third 5000m title at the MTN National Athletics Championship at Bugembe today.

Arua Athletics Club star Cherutwo will have to contend with last year's runner-up Lillian Badaru in what should be an exciting 5000m final.

Badaru, a champion in the same category in 2002, has had a busy training schedule to build her confidence ahead of the meet.

She had to pull out of the 3000m final after the 5000m loss last year, but went on to win the 1500m crown for the 3rd time.

The men's highlight will be the 10000m race despite the absence of Boniface Kiprop and Isaac Kiprop.

Three former champions, Alex Malinga (2004), Paul Wakou (1998, 2000 and 2002) and Moses Aliwa (2003) are expected to compete.

The national championships are the climax of the athletics calendar.

Meanwhile, adds Samson Opus, Kapchorwa district girls and boys set the pace by dominating the cross-country event on day one of the post -primary schools athletics championships in Kumi.

David Chemosin led a morale-boosting 1-2-3-4 sweep for Kapchorwa in the boys 8km category.

Chemosin won in a time of 30:25.7. Arua came top with 58 points, followed by Kabale (83) and Mbale (114.).

The championships are strangely organised at the same time as the national championships in Bugembe.

Independent organisers, National Post-Primary Sports Association, insisted on the date despite pleas from athletics governing body UAF for a change to suit their calendar, released much earlier.

Today's programme

Finals

• 9am - Javelin (men) & S/put (women)
• 10am - L/jump (men and women)
• 10.30am - 5000m walk (women)
• 11.15am - Javelin (women)
• 11.45am - 5000m (women)
• 2pm - 10000m (men)