Hosts Baringo County dominated the Central Rift Athletics Kenya Championships staged today at the Sinonin Secondary School grounds, earning tickets for the National Athletics Kenya Cross country Championships set for next month in Eldoret.
Little known Kevin Chesang of Baringo and International Schools Federation (ISF) Cross Country bronze medalist Dorcus Chepkemoi from Uasin Gishu triumphed in the 10km senior men and women respectively while Baringo’s Kevin Kiprop Biwott and Nandi’s Millicent Jepkonga were 8km and 6km under 20 men and women champions.
With all winners targeting a ticket to the World Cross Country championships that will be staged in the United States of America (USA) the athletes are p in arms to clinch the slots.
Chepkemoi won the title in 35:19.3 ahead of Baringo’s Sarafina Kibet (35:24.2) and Nandi’s Sharon Jerono completing the podium at 37:15.6.
Chepkemoi said that she will be heading into serious training as part of her endurance to win the national title for the USA trip to materialize.
“With ticket to the national, I have to ensure that I win to pick the ticket to the USA. As much as I am 19, I decided to compete in senior race because I will turn 20 by December hence avoiding to missing the chance to travel due to age challenges come January 2026 that I will be 20 years,” said Chepkemoi.
Recording his maiden victory since the cross country season began, Chesang won the 10km senior men title in 30:26.26 beating compatriot Victor Kimosop to second after clocking 30:33.8 and Uasin Gishu’s Cornelius Kipkogei sealing the podium in 30:37.7.
Kipkogei said that winning at home was an advantage since home fans were cheering him up and he did not let them down.
“I train here, on this course so winning was a plus for me nit just raising the bar for the home fans but earning a ticket to the nationals. This is my first win after finishing 10th in Machakos, and other events. With such victory, since the we are the national championships hosts as Central Rift, my target is to win the national title for USA ticket,” said Kipkogei.
Despite competing in the junior category, Africa under 20 1,500m silver medalist Kevin Kiprop Biwott was the darling of the residents and fans who turned up to watch him tackle to muddy tough course.
being watched and cheered by both parents and siblings, Kiprop the winners of both the Chepsaita and Sirikwa Cross country winners wants to defend his national title come next month.
“Winning at home was a good thing since all my family members and locals were cheering me as a competed. Winning was good because I want to defend my national title in Eldoret and we shall be the hosts,” said Kiprop.
The same was echoed by 6km under 20 women winners Millicent Jepkonga, the Africa under 20 1,500m finalists, who wants to ensure she dominates the nationals.
“I will prepare for nationals to earn a ticket for world cross country. I would like to do my best in long run as part of preparations,” she said.
Top six finishers
Central Rift brings together three counties of Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Baringo,
Selected results
6km junior women
- Millicent Chepkonga (U.G) 20:39.4
- Mercy jelimo (Baringo) 20:56.9
- Sharon Chepkogei (UG) 21:30.5
- Abigael Jerono (Baringo) 21:46.7
- Branes Rotich (Baringo) 21:57.8
- Damaris Jerono (Baringo) 22:03.8
8km under 20 men
- Kevin Kiprop Biwott (Baringo) 24:01.6
- Charles Kiboimo (Baringo) 24:26.8
- Brian Kandie (Baringo) 24:q34.3
- Emmanuel Kipchirchir (Nandi) 24:45.4
- Andrew Akuri (Nandi) 24:50.8
- Elias Kiptoo U.G) 25:04.8
10km senior women
- Dorcus Chepkmoi (U.G) 35:19.3
- Sarafina Kibet (Baringo) 35:24.2
- Sharon Jerono (Nandi) 37:15.6
- Ruth JemutAI (Nandi) 37;17.9
- SHARON Jepkogei (Nandi) 37:37.7
- Stellar Jepkirui (U.G) 37:45.1
10km senior men
- Kevin Chesang (Baringo) 30:26.6
- Victor Kimosop 9Baringo) 30:33.8
- Cornelius Kipkogei (U.G) 30:47.2
- Antony Kibet (U.G) 31:13.2
- Nathan Kiprotich (U.G) 31:16.3
- Bethwel Kipsang (Baringo) 31:21.5