Former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai and former Africa cross country junior champion Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli broke the Bengaluru 10km course record in a race ran today in Bengaluru, India.
Cheptai led a podium sweep for an all Kenyan affair with two time world 5,000m champion Hellen Onsando Obiri to second as national cross country champion Joyce Chepkemoi Tele completed the podium with Faith Cherono coming in 4th position.
As a build-up for world championships, the Olympian Cheptai clocked 30:35 for the title with double Olympic Games 5,000m silver medalist Obiri settling for second in 30:44 followed by Tele with 31:47 and Cherono who timed 31:59 in an all Kenyan 1-2-3-4 finish.
Cheptai broke the course record that was then held by the late Agnes Jebet Tirop set in 2018 at 31:19.
Kimeli won the race in 27:38 to break the course record, beating the reigning world under 20 10,000m champion Tadese Worku from Ethiopia to second position after timing 27:43 as former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie completed the podium with a time of 27:57.
Kimeli broke the course record that was held by compatriot and former world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kipsang kamworor at 27:34 that stood for eight years since 2014.
Leading results
Men
- Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (KEN) 27:38
- Tadese Worku (ETH) 27:43
- Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 27:57
- Telahun Bekele (ETH) 28:02
- Yasin Haji (ETH) 28:03
- Emmanuel Kiprop (KEN) 28:18
- Muktar Edris (ETH) 28:31
- Mathew Kimeli (KEN) 28:34
- Reynold Kipkorir (KEN) 28:46
- Abel Sikowo (UGA) 28:59
Women
- Irene Chepet Cheptai (KEN) 30:35
- Hellen Onsando Obiri (KEN) 30:44
- Joyce Chepkemei Tele (KEN) 31:47
- Faith Cherono (KEN) 31:59
- Tariku Alemitu (ETH) 32:04
- Faith Chepkoech (KEN) 32:05
- Tesfaye Nigsti (ETH) 32:19
- Esther Borura (KEN) 32:29
- Pauline Esikon (KEN) 32:38
- Prisca Chesnag (UGA) 32:42