World under 18 2,000m steeplechase silver Medalist and Janet Jepkoech ruled in junior races at the last leg of Athletics Kenya cross country meeting held today in Kisii.
Kandie, who travelled with his Torongo team from Baringo County edged out top runners to claim the men’s 8km junior race ahead of teammate Duncan Kiprotich and Gideon Rono.
Accompanied by his coach Barnabas Kitilit, Kandie cut the tape in 23:04.6 ahead of Kiprotich’s 23:09.3 as Rono completed the podium clocking 23:11.5.
With focus shifted to the national cross country champions cum national traisl ahead of world cross country championships in Aarhus, Denmark, the athletes are optimistic they will make it to the showpiece.
In women’s 6km, Jepkoech proved to her critics when she won the junior title, stopping the timer at 19:36.7 ahead of her main challenger Jane Chati who timed 19:42.0 before Vartis Cherono completing the podium.
Selected results
8km junior men
- Cleophas Kandie- 23:04.6
- Duncan Kiprotich- 23:09.3
- Gideon Rono- 23:11.5
- Hillary Mosop- 23:19.2
- Emmanuel Kiplagat- 23:25.5
- Francis Chweto- 23:37.5
6km junior women
- Janet Jepkoech-19:36.7
- Jane Chati- 19:42.0
- Vartis Cherono- 19:46.2
- Mercy Chepkorir- 19:48.3
- Caren Chebet- 19:54.7
- Dolphin Omare- 20:02.0