Families dominated the 32nd edition of Discovery Kenya Cross country championships staged at the Eldoret Sports Club on Sunday as Valencia 10km champion Weldon Langat and Immaculate Anyango won the senior races.
When Anyango won the 8km senior women title, her husband Reuben Longosiwa was 4th in the men’s 10km race.
It was similar script in the 8km junior men’s race. The champion Kevin Kiprop lacked respect for his elder brother Evans Kipkosgei who finished 6th.
Anyango edged out top ranking athletes to a surprising win in the 8km senior women with the likes of Gladys Chesir, Burundian Francine Nyonsaba, and Catherine Reline among others for the title that was hotly contested in the hot sun.
Anyango, who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County won the race in 27:49.4 ahead of Relin who clocked 28:02.3 as Njoki was third in 28:19.9.
“I just graduated into the senior cadre and I had to follow all instructions from my coach (Ken Rotich) who has laid my foundation in athletics,” said Anyango.
She added that she will be up for next week’s second edition of Sirikwa Cross country, the World Athletics Cross country Tour in Eldoret.
“I want to recover early enough for the Sirikwa race,” she added.
Langat, who plans to compete at the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) half marathon next month won the men’s race defeating veterans led by world 10km record holder Rhonex Kipruto, who also failed to reclaim his 2019 title.
He won the race in 30:31.2 with Bravin Kiprop coming second in 30:38.1 and Kipruto managed third position after timing.
“This race was hard to run looking at the level of the hot environment but it was good for me as I prepare for the RAK race next month. I came here to try my best because I was also recovering from the Valencia race,” he said.
In a family battle, Kiprop edged out his elder brother Kipkosgei for the 8km junior men title.
Coming from Torongo training camp in Baringo, Kiprop cut the tape in 25:05.5 ahead of Amos Kiprotich (25:08.3) and Gilbert Kiprotich was third in 25:11.1.
Coming from Nandi county, Maurine Jepkoech (21:19.0) won the 6km under 20 women title ahead of Deborah Chemutai (21:27.1) and Miriam Chemutai (21:32.6) was third.
Top six finishers
10km Senior men
1. Weldon Langat 30:31.2
2. Bravin Kiprop 30:38.1
3. Rhonex Kipruto 30:44.1
4. Reuben Longosiwa 30:54.5
5. Dennis Kitio 30:56.2
6. Cornelius Kemboi 30:56.5
8km Senior women
1. Emmaculate Anyango 27:49.4
2. Catherine Relin 28:02.3
3. Christine Njoki 28:19.9
4. Roselida Jepketer 28:25.4
5. Francine Niyonsaba 28:26.8
6. Gladys Chesir 28:35.5
8km Junior men
1. Kevin Kiprop 25:05.5
2. Amos Kiprotich 25:08.3
3. Gilbert Kiprotich 25:11.1
4. Kevin Kiplagat 25:14.7
5. Joel Loshakori 25:16.9
6. Evans Kipkosgei 25:25.7
6km Junior women
1. Maurine Jepkoech 21:19.0
2. Deborah Chemutai 21:27.1
3. Miriam Chemutai 21:32.6
4. Ivonne Chepchirchir 21:44.7
5. Florence Chepkoech 21:50.1
6. Martha Jelimo 22:04.9