World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri and Marsabit’s Hillary Kering are the champions of 2018 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) championships held today at Moi Airbase, Nairobi.
Representing Laikipia Airbase, Obiri outpaced world half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei to defend her title she won last year in Thika.
The 2016 Olympic Games 5,000msilver medalist, faced a stiff competition from Jepkosgei of Marsabit but with her track experience, Obiri outpaced Jepkosgei to cut the tape in 33:32.6 to win the women’s 10km distance.
The win was the third in a row for the former world indoor 1,500m champion as Jepkosgei, who broke six world records within six months clocked 33:38.8 as she plans to feature in the national team ahead of world half marathon in Valencia, Spain.
From sabbatical leave, Prein Nenkampi returned with third position (33:57.0)
After finishing second for three years consecutively, Marsabt’s Hillary kering won the men’s race beating defending champion Emmanuel Kipsang of Laikipia Airbase.
Kering cut the tape in 29:34.3 ahead of Frankline Ngelel coming second in 29:39.8 as former champion John Chepkwony completed the podium in 29:48.2 and Stephen Arita came in fourth clocking 29:49.7.
Kering now hopes to win at the National Cross Country Championships in February and represent Kenya at the Africa Cross Country championships in March in Algeria.
Ngelel, the national 5,000m champion, said the event is part of his preparations for the Commonwealth Games trials next month.