Former Africa Games 5,000m champion Robert Koech Kiprop and Kenyan born turn Qatari Maryam Njoki were the winners of today’s third leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Championships staged in Kapsokwony High school, Bungoma County.
The duo stole the show to be crowned the winners of the 10km senior men and women races respectively as they seek to earn slots into their various nations ahead of the world cross country championships in the USA on January 10, 2026.
Fresh from winning Eldoret half marathon, Kiprop dramatically won the race against Kiplimo Mayebei Naibei, who lost the finish line, cutting from the interior to cut the tape first. However, it was resolved that Kiptoo had won the race as he chases a slot to Florida after the national cross country championships set for Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County next month.
Kiprop clinched victory in the senior men’s 10km race after clocking 29:49.9, ahead of Naibei’s 29:50.2 and Peter Tuitoek sealing the podium at 29:55.5.
Kiprop said the triumph was a huge boost as he targets a return to the national team after missing out during the track and field season.
After changing her allegiance, Njoki former Christine Njoki wants to represent her new nation in Florida championships.
Maryam Njoki won the race at 33:48.8 followed by Miriam Chebet (33:51.2) and Christine Kioko’s 35:01.4.
Emmanuel Kiprono and Joyline Chepkemoi were 8km and 6km under 20 winners in men and women respectively.
Kiproono won the men’s race in 24:01.7 ahead of Edwin Elkana who clocked 24:05.7 while world under 20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi Kiptoo was third in 24:11.1.
Chepkemoi impressed by winning the race in 20:29.3 with Venenza Chebet (20:33.3) and Lonah Cherono (20:36.3) coming in second and third respectively.
Selected Results
6km Junior Women
1. Joyline Chepekmoi 20:29.3
2. Venenza Chebet 20:33.3
3. Lonah Cherono 20:36.3
4. Mercy Kirwa 20:37.6
5. Millicent Chepkonga 21:12.8
6. Selly Chelang’at (Western) 21:17.8
7. Linda Chepkwemoi (Western) 21:21.8
8. Mercy Jelimo (North Rift) 21:33.8
9. Ruth Cherop (Western) 21:38.2
10. Rehema Chepkorir Simotwo (North Rift) 21:55.6
8km Junior Men
1. Emmanuel Kipkorir Kiprono (North Rift) 24:01.7
2. Edwin Elkana (Western) 24:05.7
3. Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi (North Rift) 24:11.1
4. Andrew Kiptoo Kiprop (North Rift) 24:15.6
5. Kelvin Kiprop Biwott (Central Rift) 24:23.5
6. Charles Kiboino (Central Rift) 24:32.6
7. Elly Kiplimo (Western) 24:42.3
8. Peter Kichabi Naibei (North Rift) 24:55.2
9. Wesley Kiplangat Kipkoech (North Rift) 25:00.6
10. Caleb Kipsang (Western) 25:02.8
10km Senior Women
1. Maryam Lufti Njoki 33:48.8
2. Miriam Chebet 33:51.2
3. Christine Nthambi Kioko 35:01.4
4. Dorcas Tarus 35:13.8
5. Pascaline Jelagat Kibiwott 35:31.1
6. Sarafina Koko Kibet (Central Rift) 35:48.3
7. Sheilah Cheptengani Samuel (Western) 35:54.7
8. Catherine Cherotich (KDF) 36:00.1
9. Rael Cherop Boiyo (North Rift) 36:11.2
10. Winnie Jepkosgei Kimutai (North Rift) 36:38.2
10km Senior Men
1. Robert Koech Kiprop (Police) 29:49.9
2. Kiplimo Mayebei Naibei (Police) 29:50.2
3. Peter Kibenei Tuitoek (Central Rift) 29:55.5
4. Victor Kibet Masudi (Western) 30:14.4
5. Kevin Chepsergon Chesang (Central Rift) 30:20.4
6. Titus Kiprotich Kibet (North Rift) 30:25.9
7. Franklin Chebet Kibet (North Rift) 30:26.9
8. Victor Kimosop (Central rift) 30:31.3
9. Yonah Kimtai Belio (Western) 30:33.9
10. Timothy Ngeywo Mosibin (North Rift) 30:46.3