The high-altitude air of Eldoret was thick with determination as Daniel Ebenyo Simiu once again proved his grit, pacing through the dusty trails of the Eldoret Sports Club to defend his National Cross Country title on Saturday, October 25.
The World 10,000m and half marathon silver medalist braved fatigue from his recent Chicago Marathon run to clock 30:11.1, fending off late pressure to seal a back-to-back victory.
Unlike last year, when he led wire-to-wire, Ebenyo waited patiently this time letting Kevin Chesang and Dennis Kipkoech share the early workload before making his trademark push in the final stretch. His measured approach delivered both the win and an improved time from his 30:48 mark last season.
“Cross country is where I rediscover my rhythm,” he said afterward. “I was still feeling the marathon in my legs, but I told myself the title had to stay with me.”
Chesang crossed the line just a heartbeat later in 30:12.0, with Kipkoech finishing third in 30:13.0. All three athletes have booked tickets to the 2026 World Cross Country Championships set for January 10 in Florida, USA.
In the women’s 10km race, Maureen Jepkoech Chebor delivered the performance of her young career, charging through the course in 34:16.4 to claim the national crown.
The 21-year-old, still stung by her 5000m disappointment at last month’s Prefontaine Classic, used the Eldoret race as a statement of intent. She surged clear of the chasing group in the final kilometer, leaving Brenda Jepchumba (34:19.8) and Glorius Jepkirui (34:26.5) to settle for the minor positions.
“This is redemption,” Chebor said with a smile. “I wanted to remind myself that one bad race doesn’t define me.”
The junior races provided glimpses of Kenya’s next generation of stars. Cynthia Chepkirui, the reigning Sirikwa Classic champion, produced a commanding run to win the 6km U20 women’s race in 20:38.8.
Chepkirui, who was recently recognized by President William Ruto during the Mashujaa Day celebrations, created a decisive gap in the final lap, with Miriam Chemutai (20:49.1) and Lonah Cherono (21:00.0) rounding off the podium.
In the U20 men’s 8km, Emmanuel Kiprono led a North Rift clean sweep, stopping the clock at 24:22.5 ahead of Frankline Kibet (24:25.4) and Andrew Alamisi (24:29.7). Kiprono’s steady rise continues after his World U20 gold in the 5000m last year.
The shorter 2km races offered a chance for Kenya’s track specialists to stretch their endurance.
World 1500m silver medalist Reynold Cheruiyot proved a class apart, winning the men’s race in 6:13.6. Daniel Munguti (6:14.7) and David Kipkoech (6:15.7) followed close behind.
On the women’s side, Purity Chepkirui lived up to her billing as the pre-race favorite, crossing first in 6:53.6. Judy Kemunto (7:00.0) and Winfred Mbithe (7:02.1) claimed second and third respectively.
