Mathew Kipkoech and Dorcus Ndiema were crowned the champions of the third edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country, a World Athletics Gold Label event held today in Chepsaita.
As Kelvin Kariankei and Joan Chepkurui dominate th Under-20 men’s and women’s races.
Kipkoech clinched the men’s 10km crown in 31:49, outkicking Cornelius Konor (31:50) and Sammy Kapserem (31:51) in a fierce three-way sprint finish.
The 20-year-old, who trains in the famed high-altitude hub of Iten, upgraded his third place finish from last year’s race.
“I put more effort after that podium finish and motivated myself to keep going.”Kipkoech has been in sparkling cross country claiming back-to-back podium finishes in European meets.
Runner-up Konor relished his senior debut in Chepsaita after featuring in the U20 ranks last year.
“This is my second time here. The competition was very tough but I thank God I was able to finish,” he said.
Ndiema delivered a commanding performance, powering to victory in 35:44. Brenda Jepchirchir (36:08) and Faith Cherono (36:39) completed the podium.
Ndiema, who turned 20 just a day earlier, said the win was the perfect response to missing out on Kenya’s team to the Florida World Cross Country Championships after the nationals in October.
Competing at Chepsaita for the second time after running the U-20 race last year, Ndiema now graduates to the senior elite ranks with soaring confidence.
“On track I run the 5,000m, and I hope soon I can represent the country at major championships.”
Jepchirchir, trains in Keringet under coach Willy Langat, says she had not expected to finish on the podium.
In the 8km men, Kariankei cruised to victory in 25:20 to ahead of Emmanuel Kipchirchir (25:27) and Alex Pelor (25:33).
The Form Four student at Chepsaita Secondary School said lessons learnt from his appearance at the National Cross Country Championships proved invaluable. “At the nationals I finished 12th but today I was victorious,” he said.
“After the nationals, I realised that I was going out too hard with a fast pace. But today, I ran smart with the leading group, then pushed in the final lap, and that paid off.”
“I had run in Baringo and at the Nationals where I finished fourth. After that, I went back to training and was running 10km in the morning and 4km in the evening,” he added.
Chepkurui stormed to the women’s U20 6km crown in 21:34, outkicking Mercy Kirwa who clocked 21:48, while Fancy Chepkorir completed the podium in 22:07.
Despite her emphatic display, the Kuresoi-based athlete admitted victory caught her off guard.
“This is my first time running here in Chepsaita. The race was not easy and I did not expect to win. However, I am happy with the results,” Chepkurui said.
“The course was very hard but I was determined to finish, so I pushed on. I had done proper training because I knew Chepsaita is never an easy race.”
