Gloria Kite and Mathew Kimeli were the winners of the 4th leg of Athletics Kenya Cross country meeting held in Iten today at Iten ground, Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The reigning Africa Junior cross country silver medalist Kite faced a challenge from newly graduated Chebet Ng’etich who recently sat for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Mereb primary school.
The Africa Junior 1,500m silver medalist Kite cut the tape in 33:11.1 as followed by in 33:19.6 as she plans to join Sing’ore Girls in the new year.
Former world youth 2,000m silver medalist Nora Jeruto who came in third in 34:06.7 as Ivyn Chepkemoi came in fourth 34:17.8 and Gladys yator (34:26.6) completed the top five finishers.
“The race was not that competitive since I have been training with Ng’etich and I know how she runs that is why I kept leading from the start to the finish,” said Kite who also plans to compete at next year’s Africa Cross country championships in Algeria.
In the men’s senior race, it was a hard nut to crack for Mathew Kimeli to win in 28:57.2 as he faced upstart Eric Kimutai (29:07.1) and Daniel Kipchumba (29:10.1).
The three top runners enjoyed the lead up 7km before Kimeli, increased the speed to win the race that he described it as ‘easy to win.’
“The race was not so fast but tactical. It was more of brain game than energy that is why it was slow at the start and faster at the end. I ran in the leading park but I realized the need to speed up and went ahead to win,” said Kimeli who targets Commonwealth Games 10,000m.
Kiplimo Cheboi (29:12.6) and Godfrey Kimutai came fifth clocking 29:18.7.
Tugged the ‘Home of Champions’ the Iten ground was also good for Mary Chepkorir and Ronex Kipruto who shone in 6km and 8km junior men and women respectively.
In 8km junior men, Rhonex Kipruto won the race in 22:41.6 followed by Michael Kibet (22:53.8) and Edwin Kiplang’at competed the podium timing 23:02.0.
Mary Chepkorir was the winner in 6kmjunior women race. Running on home ground, Chepkorir timed 19:55.6 followed by Josephine Chelang’at (20:05.7) and Visa Chepkirui (20:14.4).
Selected results
10km women
- Gloria Kite-33:11.2
- Chebet Ng’etich-33:19.6
- Norah Jeruto-34:06.7
- Ivyn Chepkemoi-34:17.6
- Gladys Yator-34:26.6
10km men
- Mathew Kimeli-28:57.2
- Eric Kiptanui-29:07.0
- Daniel Kipchumba-29:10.1
- kiplimoCheboi-29:12.6
- Godfrey Kimutai-29:18.7
8km junior men
- Rhonex Kipruto-22:41.6
- Michael Bett-22:53.8
- Edwin Kiplang’at-23:02.0
- Robert Kiprop-23:16.1
- Dominic Kiptum-23:18.3
6kmjunior women
- Mary Chepkorir-19:55.6
- Josephine Chelang’a-20:05.7
- Visa Chepkirui-20:14.4
- Muray Chepkurui-20:20.2
- Diana Chepkorir-20:27.2