Former Africa cross country junior champion Nicholas Kimeli and upstart Feliciana Kanda Jepkosgei were crowned the champions of the inaugural 10km Kapsowar Charity and Conservancy road held today in Kapsowar, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Competing on his training course, Kimeli surged to victory in men’s race, beating Jacob Krop and kennedy Kimutai for the title.
The 5,000m specialists Kimeli and Krop went shoulder to shoulder with the former winning the race tactically as he prepares for the new season as part of their preparations for cross country season.
Kimeli cut the tape in 28:04, who shone on hilly places said that he has a challenge in running downhill and had to capitalize on hilly places to win.
“This is part of my endurance running and since we have closed the season, it is good to keep fit for the races and season ahead of us,” said Kimeli, who recently finished 4th at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
He added: “since am good in competing on uphill, I had to secure an early chance since the course was a mixture of uphill and downhill.”
Krop, who missed to compete at the Olympic games said the race is part of his training for the cross country season.
“I want to try my lack in cross country and with such races, it is good for training and endurance,” said Krop.
Jepkosgei, who has been dominating cross country meetings and track, won her maiden road race on her debut.
“This is the first time am running on 10km road race and a win was good for me,” said Jepkosgei who won the title in 32:42.30.
She defeated newly crowned Kisumu Heart Run champion Jesca Chelang’at to second after timing 32:42.19.
In secondary schools, category, Pamela Kosgei and Brian Kirui were the winners in women and men races respectively.
Competing in 5km, Kosgei, a form two student from Mokwo girls won the title in 15:45.56 ahead of her school and class mate Maureen Jepkoech to second in 15:51.58 with Christine Chesiro, a form 3 student from Kamariny was third 16:22.22.
Kiuri, a form three student from Kamariny won the 5km boys race in 13:35.39 beating Kaptulol’s Vincent Maiyo (13:42.52) and Kombatich’s Benson Kimetoo completing the podium after timing 13:44.43.
Selected results
5km school boys
- Brian Kirui (Kamariny)- 13:35.39
- Vincent Maiyo (Kaptulol)- 13:42.52
- Benson Kimetto (Kombatich)- 13:44.43
- Kimothi Kibet (Kapcherop)- 13:55.41
- Shadrack Kurgat (Kororowe)- 13:55.94
5km school girls
- Pamela Kosgei (Mokwo)- 15:45.56
- Maureen Jepkoech (Mokwo)- 15:51.58
- Christian Chesiro (Kamariny)- 16:22.22
- Mercy Jerop (Kamariny)- 16:28.67
- Irene Jepketer (Kapkenda)- 16:29.10)
10km men
- Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli – 28:04
- Jacob Krop- 28:42
- Kennedy Kimutai- 28:43
- Mark Biwott- 28:49
- Josephat Kiprotich- 28:52
10km
- Feliciana Jepkosgei- 32:42.03
- Jesca Chelangat- 32:42.19
- Brillain Jepkorir- 32:56.00
- Beatrice Cheserek- 33:12.18
- Janet Kisa- 33:24.22