Former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai and reigning Africa junior cross country champion Nicholas Kimeli were crowned the champions of the 4th edition of Maria Soti Cross country championships held on Saturday 29th February 2019 at Maria Soti secondary school ground.
Cheptai, who is chasing an Olympic slot in 10,000m said the competition was good hence registyering good results.
“My focus is to cut into the Kenya team for 2020 Olympic Games. This was mmy first race this year and I want to run my best the rest of the season,” said Cheptai.
She won the 8km senior women title in 27:26.2 ahead of reigning Boston half marathon winner Brilliant jepkorir (27:34.7) and Monica Chrichir completing the podium positions in 27:45.04.
Kimeli, who is in kenya team for Africa crioss country championships to be held in Lome, Togo won his second title on the championships, after missing to defend his title last year.
The who won in 2018 edged out another Kenya team Africa junior runner Samuel Chebolei to win the 8km senior men in 23:57.4 as Chebolei, the national cross country junior champion returned second timing 24:03.7 with Charles Kakuri in 3rd position stopping the timer at 24:10.08.
“This is part of my training for Africa cross country. I want my lungs to be ready for the challenge,” said Kimeli who was a 5,000m finalists at the 2019 World championships in Doha, Qatar.
Agnes Jebet, another Africa junior runner defended her 6km junior women’s title while upstart Reuben Longosiwa won the men’s junior race.
Jebet retained her title when she clocked 20:20.3 ahead of Mercy Cherop (21:04.2) and Jackline Cherop (21:13.6).
Longosiwa won in 24:16.05 ahead of Shadrack Kipchirchir (24:38.2) and Weldon lang’at in 24:42.9.
Selected results
8km junior men
- Reuben Longosiwa- 24:16.05
- Shadrack Kipchirchir- 24:38.2
- Wledon Lang’at- 24:42.9
- Kelvin Kibiwott- 24:44.6
- Conroy Munyanga- 24:50.6
- Emmanuel Maru- 24:59.9
6km junior women
- Agnes Jebet- 20:40.3
- Mercy Cherop- 21:04.2
- Jackline Cherop- 21:13.6
- Naomi Kemboi- 21:19.4
- Sheilah Chebiwott- 21:24.3
- Marion Cheruiyot- 21:26.5
8km senior women
- Irene Cheptai- 27:26.2
- Brilliant Jepkorir- 27:34.7
- Monica Chirchir- 27:45.04
- Vibian Chepkirui- 28:14.9
- Franisca Nioning- 28:20.3
- Mercy Chebwogen- 28:26.9
8km senior men
- Nicholas Kimeli- 23:57.4
- Samuel chebolei- 24:03.7
- Charles kakuri- 24:10.8
- Wesley Kimutai- 24:16.3
- Edwin kimutai- 24:21.6
- Mathew Kimeli- 24:28.7