It stood out as Kenya’s most unique national cross-country trials in Kenya’s 31-year old history of running in the wild.
TOP: Bedan Karoki (684) leads the pack in the senior men’s 12km race; ABOVE LEFT: Faith Chepng’etich wins the senior women’s 8km race
The event provided an interesting statistic when new graduates, always well-known for posting poor shows in their maiden races in senior ranks, defied the rule book at the KCB/AK national cross-country championship at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, yesterday.
The contest, which served as the last stop in IAAF Permit Meetings, was used to pick the team next month’s Africa Cross-Country gala in Kampala, Uganda.
Two-time world cross-country junior champion Faith Chepng’etich proved to be a major force in Kampala when she beat a classy line up, that had reigning world cross-country champion Emily Chebet, winning in 26:09.7.
Like they did last year in the world cross-country team to Poland, Chepng’etich and her elder sister Beatrice Jepkemoi Mutai once again sealed their spots in the national team to the continental cross-country.
tactics worked
Prisons’ Peris Chepchirchir (26:11.7), Emily Chebet (26:14.4), Rotterdam marathon winner Jemima Chelagat (26:26.4), Janet Kisa (26:31.3), Beatrice Mutai 26:35.0) and Alice Aprot (26:39.2) came in that order.
Chepng’etich, a Form Three Student at Winner’s Girls in Kuresoi, said: “I am happy to have won my first cross-country race as a senior. My tactics worked well and I am happy too to have my sister in the team.”
Chelagat, who is preparing for Boston Marathon in April, was excluded from the team and replaced with Aprot.
There was no place for Africa cross-country champion Mercy Cherono (26:51.2), who finished 10th.
Sour milk
But deep down when coach David Leting is sitting down by the fire with a glass of his favourite Mursik (traditional sour milk), he must wonder if he has enough cover to protect the pin-sized Chepng’etich against the anticipated Ethiopian invasion in Kampala next month.
Experience remained key in men’s 12km contest, where the old and young staged a bruising battle, which saw Olympian Bedan Karoki finally separated from boys from men to win in 34:55.2.
The Nyahururu-based runner showed no respect for world cross-country junior silver medalist Leonard Barsoton (35:07.1), Cornelius Kiprono Kangogo (35:12.6) and Solomon Kirwa Yego (35:17.5).
National cross-country champion Philemon Rono (35:19.8) and Joseph Kitur earned they team spots.
Karoki was, however, not named in the squad since the Africa cross-country showpiece coincides with Lisbon half marathon where he will make his debut in 21km running.
“The race went as planned. I had never considered the Africa cross-country since it’s not a big race,” he said.
RESULTS
Men 12km
1. Bedan Karoki 34:55.2
2. Leonard Barsoton 35:02.2
3. Philip Kiprono Langat 35:07.1
4. Cornelius Kangogo 35:12.6
5. Solomon Kirwa Yego 35:12.6
8km
1. Moses Mukono 23:04.0
2. Emmanuel Bett 23:06.1
3. Andrea Loret 23:16.3
4. John Langat 23:16.1
5. Elvis Cheboi 23:21.3
Women 8km
1. Faith Chepng’etich 26:09.7
2. Peris Chepchirchir 26:11.7
3. Emily Chebet 26:14.4
4. Jemimah Chelagat 26:26.4
5. Janet Kisa 26:31.3
6km
1. Agnes Jebet 19:21.3
2. Lilian Kasait 19:35.7
3. Nancy Nzisa 19:37.1
4. Mbithe Nzisa 19:37.8
5. Roseline Chepng’etich 19:47.6
SQUAD TO AFRICA CROSS-COUNTRY
Men 12km
1. Leonard Barsoton
2. Philip Kiprono Langat
3. Cornelius Kangogo
4. Solomon Kirwa Yego
5. Philemon Rono
6. Joseph Kitur
8km
1. Moses Mukono
2. Emmanuel Bett
3. Andrea Loret
4. John Langat
5. Elvis Cheboi
6. Hillary Langat
Women 8km
1. Faith Chepng’etich
2. Peris Chepchirchir
3. Emily Chebet
4. Janet Kisa
5. Beatrice Mutai
6. Alice Aprot
6km
1. Agnes Jebet
2. Lilian Kasait
3. Nancy Nzisa
4. Mbithe Nzisa
5. Roseline Chepng’etich
6. Loyce Chemnung
By Jonathan Komen, The Standard
