Former World Youth 3,000m bronze medalist Sheila Chelangat and former Africa cross country bronze medalist Charles Yosei won the second Meeting of Athletics Kenya cross country titles held today at The Koitaleel Samoe University ground in Nandi County.
It was a good outing for Africa Junior 5,000m champion Agnes Jebet and upstart Felix Korir who won the junior titles in women and men respectively.
Chelengat who won the national cross country title in February edged out bigwigs like former Barcelona marathon champion Valary Aiyabei, Eva Cherono among others.
Running for National Police, Chelangat won the title in 34:25.6 ahead of Joyce Chepleting (34:28.8) and Gladys Chepkirui completing the podium in 34:42.2.
She said the race was too competitive ran under hot sun.
“I never knew I was going to win but I thank God it came to pass. This is my first race after pacing London marathon in October,” said Chelangat.
The former Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion is optimistic of running for the country at the Olympic Games set for 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Yosei, who has been consistent in 10,000m faced a stiff competition from Africa junir cross country champion Nicholas Kimeli, first leg winner Daniel Ebenyo for the title.
The former Africa cross country bronze Yosei will be eying the 2021 World Cross country championships set for March 20th 2021 at the Bathurst, Australia.
Yosei, who was wrongfully included in the 5,000m despite qualifying to compete in 10,000m at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016 said that he has resumed training to ensure that he keeps top form ahead of the national trials to run for the country again in cross country.
The double silver medalist at 2019 Africa Beach Games he will be discussing with his manager to see what he can run in between before embarking on his journey to world cross country, which is less than six months away.
“I will be working my way to compete at the word cross country chamouonships before thinking of Olympic Games,” said Yosei
10Km Senior Men
1.Charles Yosei. 30:38.3
2.Phenus Kipleting. 30:40.3
3.Nicholas Kimeli. 30:43.2
4.Daniel Simiu. 30:44.6
5.Robert Kiprop. 30:57.5
6.Michael Kibet. 31:01.9
10Km Senior Women
1.Sheila Chelagat. 34:25.6
2.Joyce Jepkemboi. 34:28.0
3.Gladys Chepkirui. 34:42.4
4.Ednah Jebitok. 34:54.5
5.Mercy Jeptarus. 34:55.7
6.Eva Cherono. 35:01.7
6Km Junior Women
1.Agnes Jebet. 20:43.9
2Felician Kanda. 20:54.2
3.Purity Chepkirui. 20:59.0
4.Isca Chelangat. 21:11.3
5.Grace Loibach. 21:13.3
6.Juddy Jepkoech. 21:19.7