World under 20 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Leonard Bett and former world junior runner Betty Chepkemoi started the year on a high note, winning the Iten Premium cross country, the 5th and last leg of Athletics Kenya Cross country Championships held today at Iten Sports ground.
A week after his wedding on 28th December and running his second race after graduating into senior ranks, Bett, the world under 18 2,000m champion faced stiff competition from on-form Daniel Simiu, who last weekend ran the 2019 Corrida De Houilles 10km Road race last Sunday with a course record of 27:12 and Abel Kipsang.
The junior runner waited until the last kilometre to win the title in 28:06.1, to redeem his image after unsuccessfully launched his senior career at season cross country opener in Machakos when he finished third overall.
“This was a good race as I prepare for Africa Cross country as well as Olympic Games. It was a challenging race but winning in my second attempt in senior ranks is good for me,” said Kericho based runner.
Bett chased a leading park of Simiu, Kipsang and Erick Tirop who finished second, third and 4th in 28:13.2, 28:17.8 and 28:25.2 respectively.
In 10km women, Chepkemoi, who finished 6th at the 2019 world cross country championships defeated experienced runners like Frankfurt Marathon champion Valary Aiyabei, Monica Chirchir and Dorcas Kimeli for the title.
Chepkemoi, who stepped in the lead with just two kilometres, kept her tempo high to win the title in 32:14.9 as she plans to cut into Kenya team for both Africa cross country in Lome, Togo and Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The former world Junior 3,000 steeplechase 4th placed runner improved from second position she set in Ol Kalau meeting a fortnight ago to today’s win.
“It has always been my dream to run for Kenya and with the two championships ahead, I want to make a cut into it,” said the Two Running Club runner.
Agnes Jebet and Gideon Rono were the winners in 6km junior women and 8km junior men titles.
Jebet, a student at Kapkenda Girls edged out pre-race favourite Africa Junior 1,500m champion Edna jebitok.
She clocked 19:03.9 ahead of Jebitok, the world under 18 1,500m bronze medalist and world under 20 1,500m 4th placed to second timing 19:11.08 as Youth Olympics Champion Fancy Cherono completing the podium in 19:23.3.
Rono, who won Ol Kalau, Ndalat and Kirdam titles won the junior men in 22:13.4 ahead of Shadrack kipchirchir (22:18.4) and Emmanuel Kiplagat completing the podium in 22:19.0.
Selected results
6km junior women
- Agnes Jebet- 19:03.9
- Edna Jebitok- 19:11.08
- Fancy Cherono- 19:23.3
- Brenda Chepchumba- 19:33.3
- Irene Chepketer- 19:35.9
- Winnie Kimutai- 19:36.6
8km junior men
- Gideon Rono- 22:13.4
- Shadrack Kipchumba- 22:18.4
- Emmanuel Kipchirchir- 22:18.4
- Felix Korir- 22:25.6
- Brian Kiptoo- 22:35.6
- Naibei Kiplimo- 22:36.8
10km senior woen
- Betty Chepkemoi- 32:14.9
- Monica Chirchir- 32:29.19
- Valary Aiyabei- 32:23.1
- Dorcas Kimeli- 33:00.4
- Jackline Atudonyang- 33:03.2
- Judith Jepng’etich- 35:15.9
10k senior men
- Leonard Bett- 28:06.1
- Daniel Simiu- 28:13.2
- Abel Kipsang- 28:17.8
- Erick Tirop- 28:25.2
- Edward Kibet- 28:27.2
- Abel Mutai- 28:13.2