Reigning Commonwealth 10,000m bronze medalist Rodgers Chumo Kwemoi and little known Qualine Kiprop were the winners of the Athletics Kenya Central Rift Region championships held today at Metipsoo primary school grounds.
After missing out on 2017 world cross country championships in Kampala Uganda due to amoeba, Kwemoi said they have good plans to conquer the national cross country championships cum national trials ahead of world cross country championships in Aarhus, Denmark.
The former world under 20 10,000m champion was optimistic of getting a slot into Kenya team during the national trials in Eldoret scheduled for 23rd February at Eldoret Sports Club.
The Japan based runner won the race timing 30:20.4 ahead of former Commonwealth junior champion Richard Kimunyan (30:24.7) before Evans Keitany complede the podium timing 30:30.8.
Kwemoi edged out 2018 Discover cross country champion Josephat Kipchirchir said he was well prepared to win the race.
“I came here with a purpose of winning this before heading to Eldoret for the national and I have achieved my goal. We have good plans with Kamworor (Geoffrey), since we train together on how we shall conquer trials,” said Kwemoi who trains in Japan.
Qualine Kiprop was unknown at the start line but was the surprise winner edging out former Africa cross country runner Joan Jepkemoi to second as Faith Ligaa completed the podium.
Kiprop, who is chasing her first slot into the national team won the title timing 36:00.7 ahead of Jepkemoi’s 36:07.0 and Ligaa’s 36:30.1.
She said she had prepared to win the race, hoping to compete for the national and luckily she has one shot left.
“My target was to cut into the regional team and one hurdle is ahead of me for the first time. I have to try my best to make it to Denmark next month,” said Kiprop.
Selected results
10km senior women
- Qualine Kiprop-36:00.7
- Joan Jepkemoi-36:07.0
- Faith Ligaa- 36:30.1
- Isabella Jemurgor-378:02.2
- Beatrice Cheburet-38:28.4
10km senior men
- Rodgers Kwemoi-30:20.4
- Richard Kimunyan- 30:27.7
- Evans Keitany-30:30.8
- Emmanuel Bor-30:34.1
- Daniel Kiprotich- 30:37.1