THE 2010 world senior cross country champion Emily Chebet will be looking for her third win as the KCB\AK cross country series move to Kisii today.

Chebet has been in fine form winning in Machakos and Nyahururu in the last two weeks and looks a strong contender for the Kenya team to the world cross country championship in Poland next year.

Chebet is the race favourite but knows she faces stiff competition from Jemimah Chelagat who pushed her close last weekend in Machakos.

"Chelagat pushed me last week so I know she will be a big threat in the race," she added. Chebet said she is happy with her level of preparation and is confident she can secure a ticket for Poland .

"I'm in good form and I hope it continues this way and I dont get injured," Chebet said. Joylin Chelagat, Agnes Katunge and Nzembu Musyoka are expected to be the other frontrunners in the senior womens race In the men's category Geoffrey Korir who won in Kisii last weekend will be seeking his second race in a row but faces a tall order with brothers John Mwangangi and Caleb Mwangangi in the mix.

The duo finished third and fifth respectively in Machakos last weekend and have vowed to win the event in Kisii. Others in contention include Mark Kiptoo, who captained the Kenyan team to the 2009 world cross in Amman, Jordan, Nicholas Togom, Mike Rotich and Daniel Lemashon.

The series has a Sh1.2m jackpot to be shared among the four categories, senior men's 12km, senior women's 8km, junior men's 8km and junior women's 6km races with athletes scoring points corresponding with their performances at the individual meets.

Meanwhile the first local runners will also be rewarded, the organising committee announced yesterday.

The Gusii Golden Series committee chairman David Ondieki said the athletes will receive cows, goats, farm produce and cash awards.

"This is a motivation exercise for local runners to participate in the event," said Ondieki who is also an Athletics Kenya official.

He said athletes will register at the starting point at Nyabite Market on the Nyamira-Senta road.

Registration fee is Sh100 and registration starts at 6am.