Lilian Kasait returned to Tuskys Wareng cross country with senior’s hut with a win while Emmanuel Bett won with a slim margin in the event that was dominated by Keringet based runners.
As other students were studying for Monday’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at Kinswed, Kasait the 2013 world Junior 3,000m champion was working her way on the field at Huruma Grounds.
Last year, she won in 6km junior women and following her graduation into senior, she did not disappoint as she won the 10km senior race in 33:54.4.
The former World Youth 3,000mchampion ran her own race after overpowering 2016 Barcelona marathon champion Valary Jemeli Aiyabei.
She managed to beat experienced 2016 Barcelona marathon champion Valarie Aiyabei Jemeli and former Commonwealth Youth champion and 2015 champion Stacy Ndiwa.
Jemeli, who finished third at the Berlin marathon crossed the finish line in 34:23.2 as Ndiwa, the former world cross country silver medalist for to third 34:35.1.
“I came here with the sole purpose of winning the race, to add to what I got last year as a junior. The race was too challenging but I managed to endure for a win,” said the reigning world cross country silver medalist.
“I also want to try my best in Africa Cross country and Commonwealth Games ,”added Kasait.
As reigning world 18 1,500m bronze medalist Ednah Jebitok and upstart Robert Kiprop shone in junior races.
It was two horse race in men’s 10km race as position one and three were taken by brothers Emmanuel Bett and Josephat Kipchirchir with Alfred Barkach in between.
Bett, the young brother to Kipchirchir won the race timing 30:00.08 with Barkach in second at 30:01.9 and Kipchirchir 30:02.1.
West Pokot based runners Robert Kiprop and Michael Kibet were the winners of 8km junior men. Coming from Chewoyet high school, Kiprop cut the tape at 24:05.3 followed by school mate Kibet timing 24:05.9 before Bethwel Kipkemoi (24:31.6).
After scooping bronze at the 2017 world under 18 championships in Nairobi, the class seven pupil at Keringet primary school Ednah Jebitok won the 6km junior women followed by Deborah Chemutai, the Sotik cross country third finisher.
10km senior men
- Emmanuel Bett-30:00.08
- Afred Barkach-30:01.9
- Josephat Kipchirchir-30:02.1
- Josephat Bett-30:35.4
- Davis Kiplagat -30:39.4
10km women
- Lilian Kasait-33:54.4
- Valarie Jemeli-34:23.2
- Stacy Ndiwa-34:53.1
- Celestine Kipchirchir-34:50.7
- Ivyne Chepkemoi -35:13.5
8km men
- Robert Kiprop-24:05.3
- Michael Bett-24:05.9
- Bethwel Kiprono-24:30.6
- Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli-24:31.1
- Boaz Kipkugut-24:36.8
6km women
- Ednah Jebitok -21:05
- Deborah Chemutai-21:14
- Violah Chepkirui-21:45
- Shantel Jeptoo-21:52
- Rones Chelagat-21:56