Former Africa 3,000m steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto and upstart Michael Kibet were the winners of the third edition of Maria Soti Memorial Cross country championships held today at Maria Soti Educational centre in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
It was good start for Agnes Jebet who missed Kenya Team for world cross country as she won the 6km junir women with reigning Kabarak University 10km champion Vincent Kiprotich claimed men’s 8km junior title.
The former Commonwealth Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion, Jeruto faced little resistance from former Africa Junior 1,500m silver medalist Gloria Kite and Esther Chesang to win the title timing 34:03.1.
Jeruto, the former world junior 2,000m champion stepped into the lead in the first lap as Kite ran shoulder to shoulder. But the new Kazakhstan international opened the gap against tiring Kite, who was then beaten by Chesang in the last lap.
With her focus to compete at Diamond Leagues come May, the former Commonwealth Youth 3,000m bronze medalist said she was not sure of competing at the world cross country for her new nation but plans to run at the world championships.
“My target is to compete at the Diamond Leagues as well as World championships. I am not sure if I will be competing at world cross country championships,” said Jeruto.
Chesang came in second position timing 35:30.8 while Kite completed the podium in 36:36.0.
In men’s 10km race, Michael Bett, who finished number 13th at the concluded national cross country championships cum national world cross country trials, said he came knowing he was fit to lift the title after missing the national team slot.
Kibet faced a stiff challenge from defending champion and reiging Africa junior cross country champion Nicholas Kimeli Kipkorir.
Kibet clocked 29:50.6 ahead of Kimeli’s 29:51.1 and Boniface Kiptarus’ 29:53.4.
“I came here knowing I was fit enough to win the race. I wanted to wear my first national colours but the competition was too high but am targeting world championships in 1,500m,” said the Trans Nzoia baesd runner who won North Rift regional athletics Kenya title in Maralal, Samburu County.
Agnes Jebet won 6km junior women as Vincent Kiprotich, the Chemususu Dam 10km champion won the men’s 8km junior title.
Jebet who also competed at the national trials won the title timing 20:09.5 ahead of Feliciana Kanda (20:24.1) and Leah Kibet’s (20:47.7) while Kiprotich clocked 25:13,1 ahead of Reuben Longosiwa’s 25:29.3 and Shadrack Kipchumba’s 25:30.8.
Selected results
10km senior women
- Norah Jeruto-34:03.1
- Esther Chesang- 35:30.8
- Gloria Kite- 36:36.0
- Dorcas Kimeli-36:54.5
- Caroline Chebet-37:02.0
- Anita Kiptum-37:16.4
10km senior men
- Michael Bett- 29:50.6
- Nicholas Kipkprir Kimeli-29:51.1
- Boniface Kiptarus-29:53.4
- Joshua Kapligis-29:54.8
- Rhonzas Lokita-29:56.7
- Gideon Kipngetich-29:57.1
6km junior women
- Agnes Jebet-20:09.5
- Feliciana Kanda-20:24.1
- Leah Kibet- 20:47.7
- Naomi Jeptoo-20:52.7
- Caren Chebet-20:07.1
- Brenda Chepchumba-21:09.4
8km junior men
- Vincent Kiprotich-25:13.1
- Reuben Longosiwa-25:29.3
- Shadrack Kipchumba-25:30.8
- Welden Lagat- 25:34.4
- Brian Kipruto-25:37.1
- Abel Liwao-25:43.5