Elizabeth Muthoka and her mother, Ruth Mwende, have kickstarted their hunt for gold in the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships which started last Sunday in Torun, Poland.
Muthoka will be competing in the w40 categories 200m and 400m while Mwende will be competing in the w70 and w74 categories 60m and 200m.
The Meru-based deputy officer in charge of Meru Women’s Prison said that her target is to reach the finals and subsequently make a podium finish.
“I’m hoping my preparation will pay off as I will be focusing on being in the finals and then I want to be on the podium,” said Muthoka, the World Masters 4x400m relay team w35 gold medalist.
She is upbeat that she will continue with her winning streak as she did in 2021 where Kenya held the Africa Masters in Nairobi and won gold medals in 200m, 400m and relays.
Muthoka said she had her own fair share of challenges in training due to the lack of a standard field to train.
“I have been training in Meru. It has its own challenges including lack of a standard field, but hopefully, all will be well.” said the 2018 World Athletics master 400m w40 finalist in Malaga, Spain.
This will not be her first time in the world showpiece. Muthoka opined: “In 2018, I was among the 400m w40 finalists. I also won gold in the 4×400m relay w35.”
Muthoka was the 400m national record holder in 2008 after clocking 51.53, a title which was previously held by Ruth Waithera in 1984 with a time of 51.56. A week later during the national Olympic trials, she lowered her record to 50.82.
“In the team, is also my mom Mwende, a retired prison officer in the rank of a Sergeant. This is not her first time competing in an event of such magnitude,” she added.
