Athletics Kenya head coach Julius Kirwa has reiterated the importance of the cross country ahead of a packed international calendar next year.

The AK cross country weekend meetings begin in with the Machakos leg on Saturday followed by the AK Western leg in Kapsokwony, Bungoma County next Saturday.

Speaking on Thursday, Kirwa said athletes should take the cross country series seriously since they offer the perfect preparations.

He observed that athletes must be ready for a packed 2024 which has numerous championships lined up including the All Africa Games in Ghana in March, the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas, the World Cross Country Championships in Serbia and the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

“We have a busy season next year with several international events and it's important that our top athletes grace the cross county series to build confidence, rhythm, and momentum before we go to the track," noted Kirwa.

Kirwa said athletes need to attend three of the six races to merit invites for national trials in February next year.

“We know it's been a long season with the World Championships, World Road Running Championships, Diamond League and many more races that our athletes competed in and that's why we have put the cut-off at three cross country appearances," said Kirwa.

The cross-country season will start in Machakos followed by events in Mount Elgon, Nyahururu, Kericho, and Iten in the next two months.

The series will culminate with the national trials in February next year before the final team is selected for the World Cross County Championships slated for Serbia in March.

Kenya will be seeking to defend the title they won this year in Bathurst Australia.

Team Kenya managed the overall team title while Beatrice Chebet and Ishmael Kipkurui delivered the senior women's and junior men's titles respectively.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi led Miriam Cherop, Kyumbe Munguti and Brenda Chebet to the mixed relay gold medal.

Also on the medal podium were Reynold Cheruiyot (junior men's silver), Agnes Jebet (senior women's bronze) and Pamela Kosgei (junior women's bronze).

Kirwa also insisted on the significance of establishing a specialised camp for 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m probables for next year's events.

"Athletics Kenya are aware .I have given them my proposal. The camps have to start early in order to be in good shape by the time the athletes go for the trials and subsequently the Olympics in Paris in July," said Kirwa.