Nairobi, Kenya - Sammy Kipketer is training very hard. The 21-year-old Kenyan Army Private has chosen a hideout in Nyahururu, some 250km north-west of Nairobi, right on the foot of Mount Kenya, where Team Puma conduct their training when in the country.

Kipketer, who is Commonwealth Games 5000 metres champion, wants to focus on both 5000m and 10,000m in the coming season. But before that, he will fight for a place in the Kenyan cross country team with the aim of running at the World Cross in Lausanne next March.

"I am training for the cross country season and also for the outdoor (track) season,” said Kipketer from the camp. “You know, my performance at the end of the season inspired me to do even better in the coming year. To maintain that level of performance, I must work extra hard."

Kipketer started last season with a fourth place in the senior men's short race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Leopardstown, Dublin. He proceeded to New Orleans, USA, where he ran the world 10km road race best (27:10) in the Crescent City Classic on 30 March.

"After a whole month of training for the World Cross, my body was just starting to respond  and on hitting the US road race, I was in my best form hence that performance (New Orleans)," confirmed Kipketer.

Kipketer late proceeded to Manchester, England to win the Commonwealth Games 5000m gold medal and followed that up with the world season’s fastest 10,000m, when winning the IAAF Golden League meeting in Brussels (26:46.38).

Kipketer is a veritable team player. He surprised observers at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton when he accepted to be the sacrificial lamb for the Kenyan 5000 metres team. With a 12:59 clocking for the distance in Athens earlier in the season, he was the top favourites for gold but Kenyan coaching guru Mike Kosgei still managed to persuade him to play the rabbit.

As expected, he executed his duty with military precision and Richard Limo responded with a devastating kick that earned Kenya a gold medal, as compatriot John Kibowen brought home a bronze, behind Ethiopia's Olympic champion Million Wolde.

Kipketer was contented with a sixth place. "You know the national interest supercedes individual interest and if I am to perform a duty for a common good, I will be more than happy to do so."

"I still prefer 5000m, but I will try 10,000m again. I may eventually specialise in both. Right now, I am doing cross country for endurance but that is not to say I am not keen on the World Cross. I am going for it too, and with all my spirit and soul."

Kipketer's first attempt at the World Cross Country was 1999 in Belfast where he finished sixth in the junior men's 8-km race. The following year in Vilamoura, Portugal, he finished second in the senior men's 4km race. He was fourth in both 2001 in Ostend and this year in Dublin.

Kipketer who is married to Beatrice, with whom he has a one-year-old daughter, originally hails from the Keiyo district of the athletics-mad Kalenjin community. His home area is Kaptarakwa, neighbouring the family homes of Albert Chepkurui and young Vivian Cheruiyot family. He went to Lelboinet Secondary School in 1995.

The nearest school to Lelboinet is Biwott Secondary School where former multiple world record holder Daniel Komen also attended. Komen’s exploits on the track were big news in Keiyo and this was largely what inspired Kipketer to start serious running. As they say, the rest is history.

Presently with Kipketer in the training camp in Nyahururu are Paul Koech, Tom Nyariki, Jackline Maranga, Naomi Mugo and Tanzania's John Yuda, among other star names.

“I prefer to train here because it is quiet and cool. Given the coming season, there is no better place to be than Nyahururu."

While remaining a team player, after his Commonwealth success this summer it is unlikely that Kipketer would expect to play the role of sacrificial lamb anymore, re-invigorated as he is now to seek further success, especially at the Paris World Championships in 2003.

"Before fighting for a place in the national cross country team, I will try myself at one of the Athletics Kenya weekend meetings. After that, I will focus on the outdoor season, with the World Championships in Paris top on the agenda. And although I hope to run 5000m in Paris, I will also run one 10,000m in the Golden League circuit, most probably in Brussels."

Omulo Okoth for IAAF