Nairobi — Over 400 athletes from all the 15 Athletics Kenya affiliates will be in Mombasa on Saturday for the national cross-country championship.

It will be a battle for the brave as institutional athletes from the Armed Forces, Kenya Police and Prisons roll up their sleeves for the battle against rivals from other branches all keen to stamp their authority ahead of the national trials.

While focus will be on the men's 12 km and women's eight kilometres events, fans will be in a for a treat as world cross-country junior 8km men silver medallist Leonard Komon stakes his claim for the national title against a spirited challenge from opponents from South Rift and Central Province.

However, after announcing her intention to compete on home soil, four time Boston marathon champion Catherine Ndereba will be walking a tight rope in her quest to represent the country in her first world cross-country championship.

Previously, she was keen to run for her department in the Kenya Prisons championships but now has stepped up a gear hoping to win a berth in the national team in the senior 8Km women's race.

Carrying the Prisons baton, Ndereba together with Margaret Mangari and Jane Mwikali will come face to face with Kenya Police and Olympic 5,000m silver medallist Isabella Ochichi, Armed Forces Irene Kwambai, Sharon Chemutai, Benina Arusei and Doris Changeiywo. Changeiywo graduated to the senior ranks this year.

Veteran John Kibowen of Armed Forces will once again be expected to live to his billing as he confronts former 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi, African 3,000m steeplechase champion Richard Matelong of Police and Moses Kigen of North Rift.

With the institutional teams missing out in the junior women's 6 km race Pamela Lisoreng, eighth at last year's world cross-country championship in Fukuoka, Japan, and Emmy Chepkirui are expected to dictate the pace. The junior race has been sponsored by the Ruiru based Bogani Industries Limited to the tune of Sh250, 000. Mill Manager James Muiruri said they would provide the young ones with branded running numbers and 92 cartons of mineral water and gift vouchers.

AK publicity officer Peter Angwenyi said all the 400 runners are expected to check in at the Royal Court Hotel in Mombasa by Friday afternoon. He said arrangements for the championship have been finalized and he looked forward to a successful event saying it would serve as a test to the athletes' preparedness for the global race.

At the same time, Kenya Prisons have moved out to help three branches Western, Nyanza North and Nyanza South with transportation.