former world Youth 2,000m steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto faced a stiff competition form her young sister former Africa 2,000m steeplechase silver medalist Daisy Jepkemei to win the 28th edition of University of Eldoret Cross country as Josephat Kipchirchior took men honors.
With her focus to compete at the world cross country championships for the first time, the former Commonwealth Youth Games champion Jeruto had a stunning warning for her sister Jepkemei who clocked 33:43.9 and Jepkemei’s 34:03.3 as Daisy Kimeli completed the podium timing 34:34.0.
“We walk in the morning and she promised me that she was going to beat me in the race so I had to prove to her that I am her elder sister which I executed very well,” said Jeruto Africa 3,000m steeplechase champion.
But Jepkemei was optimistic that one day, she will win the race until she comes back to apologise.
“She (Jeruto) introduced me to steeplechase which I have done very well but I am warning her that one day, she will come to apologise because I will be winning all races and beating her all through,” said Jepkemei amid laughs from Jeruto.
Josephat Kipchichir, a cross country runner won the men’s 10km distance in 30:19.4 as he seeks his maiden team Kenya representation at the world cross country championships in Denmark.
“I have been training well and this will be my time to win first gold for Kenya,” said Kipchirchir.
He beat his rivals Frankline Ngelel and Joshua Kiplagat to nsecond and third places timing 30:24.8 and 30:27.3 respectively.
Selected results
10km senior women
- Norah Jeruto-33:43.9
- Daisy jepkemei-34:03.3
- Daisy Kimeli-30:34.0
- Sheilah Jelagat-34:48.2
- Valary Jemeli-34:26.8
10km senior men
- Josephat Kipchirchir-30:19.4
- Frankline Ngelel-30:24.8
- Joshua Kiplagat-30:27.3
- Elvis Cheboi-30:31.4
- Simon Letaiya-30:35.9