Fredrick Kipkoech Chebii and Christine Njoki were crowned champions of the second leg of the Athletics Kenya National Cross Country Series held at Moi Girls High School Kamusinga in Bungoma County on Saturday.
Chebii made it back-to-back victories after winning the opening leg in Machakos two weeks ago, underlining his impressive form in the series.
The Iten-based athlete attributed his latest success to improved training and a special training phase after his Machakos triumph.
“My training has been good after winning in Machakos. After that, I came together with my coach, improved on my training and the results are good.
“At the same time, after winning in Machakos, I went for loading and that has helped in back-to-back victories here,” said Chebii.
Chebii clocked 28:53.3 to claim the men’s 10km title, beating reigning Africa Cross Country champion Kevin Chesang, who finished second in 29:00.6. Kennedy Cheruiyot completed the podium in 29:05.6.
Chesang, who is also the national cross country champion and Kip Keino Classic 10,000m champion, said he was still recovering from a persistent knee injury but remained determined to defend his continental crown.
“The race was good and I did prepare very well. As an Africa champion, I want to try and defend my title. At the same time, I want to try my best to do well in the next event,” said Chesang.
Third-placed Cheruiyot also revealed that he had been struggling with knee problems but opted to compete despite the discomfort.
“I came here to try my luck with pain, but right now, I can feel better,” he said.
In the women’s 10km race, all-round runner Njoki claimed victory ahead of Emmaculate Jepkosgei and Venenza Chebet.
Njoki, who recently switched her allegiance to Qatar, said she used the competition to assess her speed and endurance as she prepares to defend her Tenrun 10km Road Race title in Eldoret.
“I did well in last year’s cross country before picking up an injury, but now I’m fine and ready for more assignments. I want to win a medal for my new country come December,” said Njoki.
She crossed the finish line in 32:26.6, followed by Machakos leg winner Jepkosgei in 32:32.6, while Chebet settled for third in 32:50.9.
In the Under-20 category, Edwin Sanutia and Lorna Cherono claimed the men’s 8km and women’s 6km titles respectively.
Competing on home soil, Western Region’s Sanutia clocked 22:48.4 to narrowly beat Sande Rotich, who finished in 22:48.6. Lucky Ramsy took third place in 22:53.5.
North Rift’s Cherono won the women’s race in 19:30.3, edging Vivian Chepkopus, who clocked 19:32.2, while Scolastica Chemtai finished third in 19:34.3.
Selected top ten results
4km Under 20 girls
- Naomi Chepkwemoi (WESTERN) 12:40.7
- Valentine chepkorir (WESTERN) 12:46.8
- ANNVINE NEKESA (NORTH RIFT) 12:47.8
- Vascaline chelang’at (WESTERN) 12:53.7
- Linda cheptoek (NORTH RIFT) 13:01.1
- Ruth chelang’at (WESTERN) 13:05.7
- IRINE JEPTUM KIBON (NORTH RIFT) 13:10.4
- Ruth chemei (NORTH RIFT) 13:11.3
- Elizabeth Chepteng’an (NORTH RIFT) 13:13.0
- ANGELINE CHEPTOO (NORTH RIFT) 13:14.5
6km Under 18 men
- BRAVIN KIPTOO (WESTERN) 17:54.1
- SOLOMON KIBET LOTELEMUK (NORTH RIFT) 17:54.3
- NICHOLAS PKURSHO SAMSON (NORTH RIFT) 18:25.1
- EMMANUEL LOIBUKWA LENARUM (NORTH RIFT) 18:31.9
- Cleophas koromon (CENTRAL RIFT) 18:32.9
- ABRAHAM KWEMOI CHESUI (WESTERN) 18:34.5
- CHEROTICH BENJAMIN (UGANDA) 18:34.7
- Joseph lekisiat lolonuk (NORTH RIFT) 18:35.2
- DAN KWEMOI (WESTERN) 18:35.6
- BENARD KIMUTAI (NORTH RIFT) 18:44.2
6km under 20 women
- LONAH CHERONO (NORTH RIFT) 19:30.3
- VIVIAN CHEPKOPUS (KIPRUN) 19:33.2
- Scolastica chemtai (WESTERN) 19:34.3
- Magdaline Jepkorir (Sinonin) 19:36.4
- Mirriam cheptoo (NORTH RIFT) 20:03.5
- Sharon chebet (Lemotit) 20:09.8
- Sheila kipchumba (NORTH RIFT) 21:22.6
- Sharon chepngetich ngeny (NORTH RIFT) 21:43.4
- Abigael Serem (NORTH RIFT) 21:59.0
- Vicky jebet (NORTH RIFT) 22:29.4
8km under 20 men
- Edwin Sanutia (WESTERN) 22:48.4
- SANDE ROTICH (UGANDA) 22:48.6
- Lucky Ramsey (NORTH RIFT) 22:53.5
- Losiwareng Nicholas (Global Sports) 22:53.7
- ELLY KIPLIMO SIMOTWO (WESTERN) 22:53.9
- ABRAHAM POGHISHO (NORTH RIFT) 22:59.7
- Felix kiplagat (NORTH RIFT) 23:16.4
- Michael kipsang (WESTERN) 23:28.8
- Kandie Brian (CENTRAL RIFT )23:29.3
- Allan kwemoi (WESTERN) 23:29.6
10km senior women
- Christine Njoki Nalimo (NORTH RIFT) 32:16.6
- EMMACULET JEPKOSGEI (Kiprun) 32:22.6
- Venenza chebet (WESTERN) 32:50.9
- Caren chebet (PRISONS) 33:05.4
- BRENDA JEPCHUMBA (SOUTH RIFT) 33:14.6
- SELAH JEPLETING BUSIENEI (KDF) 33:17.6
- LUDWINA CHEPNGETICH (KDF) 33:18.8
- Leah Chepkwemoi Cherokony (WESTERN) 33:26.6
- Vivian jebiwott ( WESTERN) 33:46.1
- Scovia cheptoek ngeiywo (CENTRAL RIFT) 33:55.8
10km senior men
- Fredrick kipkoech chebii (KDF) 28:53.3
- Kevin chesang (CENTRAL RIFT) 29:00.6
- Kennedy Cheruiyot (NORTH RIFT) 29:05.6
- Evans kipkosgei biwott (CENTRAL RIFT) 29:12.0
- Salem kibet (WESTERN) 29:18.5
- Edwin kiplagat kiprono (Sinonin) 29:23.5
- Moses Letoyie (NORTH RIFT) 29:30.0
- Simon itoti lopeiyok (PRISONS) 29:31.6
- Thomas kibet Masai (WESTERN) 29:32.7
- Mathew kipkoech (NORTH RI) 29:35.6