Chepng’etich and Kabuu lose out in cross country meeting

By Chris Musumba

World Cross Country junior women champion Faith Chepng’etich, Dubai Marathon silver medallist Lucy Wangu Kabuu and Hosea Mwok Macharinyang’ were some of the elites who bit the dust during the KCB national cross country championship held at Kangaru School  grounds in Embu yesterday.

Chepng’etich, the World Junior 1,500m winner was making her second show after running in Kisii, and could only manage a fifth spot in the 6km race, which was won by Mercy Chebwogen, the World Junior 3,000m champion. The race attracted 37 entries.

Chebwogen clocked 20:45.0 to clear the challenging course ahead of Agnes Jebet, the Africa Junior cross country silver medallist. Jebet, who comes from Nandi, chalked up her second podium finish in fourth attempt after finishing third twice in Nyahururu and Kisii. She clocked 20:46.0 while Roselyne Chepng’etich of Keringet was third in 20:52.0

Favourite Sheila Chepng’etich, who finished sixth in the 2011 World Youth Championships in 1500m and won in Kapsokwony, was fourth in 21:25.0 while Faith Chepng’etich had to settle for fifth slot in 21:36.0 ahead of Machakos based Wanza Mathya 21:40.0.

Emmanuel Bett triumphed in the junior men 8km race clocking 24:26.0 ahead of Alexander Mutiso of Makueni 24:26.5 while Joseph Kimathi of Nyahururu was third in 24:27.4. Fourth place went to Kathui Muia (Machakos) in 24:39.0 with Julius Tanki of Iten coming in fifth after 24:39.0 edging out Hillary Maiyo of Riruta Satelite (24:39.4) to sixth place. The race attracted 98 runners.

In the senior women 8km race, Kabuu was not quick enough to close down Gladys Cherono of Kahawa Garrison, who ran away with the title clocking 28:00.3. Kabuu, who was fifth at the London marathon, took the second spot in 28:01.0 edging out Phanencer Chemion of Iten 28:10.0.

Fourth spot went to Priscillah Lorchima (Keringet) 28:10.5 with  Pamela Lisoreng (GSU) 28:11.5 fifth as Beatrice Chepkemoi (Keringet) 28:13.5 was sixth.

Macharinyang, who won in Kapsokwony, ran out of breath and let the title slip through his fingers as Peter Mateelong, the younger brother of Commonwealth games 3,000m steeplechase champion Richard Mateelong, excelled to win in 36:33.0.

Macharinyang took the second spot in 36:34.0 ahead of John Chepkwony (Thika) 36:36.0 while Kenya Prisons John Mwangangi 36:37.0 was fourth. Geoffrey Kirui (Keringet) 36:38.0 came in fifth edging out Linus Chumba (Embakasi) 36:45.0.

Results

6km Junior Women

Mercy Chebwogen (Keringet) 2045.0

Agnes Jebet (Nandi) 20:46.0

Roselyne Chepng’etich (Keringet) 20:52.0

Sheila Chepng’etich (Sigowet) 21:25.0

Faith Chepng’etich (Keringet) 21:36.0

Wanza Mathya (Machakos) 21:40.0

8km Junior Men

Emmanuel  K  Bett (Keringet) 24:26.0

Alexander Mutiso (Makueni) 24:26.5

Joseph Kimathi (Nyahururu) 24.27.4

Kathui Muia (Machakos) 24:36.0

Julius Tanki (Iten) 24:39.0

Hilary Maiyo (Riruta) 24:39.4

8km Senior Women

Gladys Cherono (Kahawa) 28:00.3

Lucy Kabuu (Police) 28:01.0

Phanencer Chemion (Iten) 28:10.0

Priscillah Lorchima (Keringet) 28:10.5

Pamela Lisoreng (GSU) 28:11.5

Beatrice Chepkemoi (Keringet) 28:13.5

12km Senior Men

Peter Mateelong (Nanyuki) 36:33.0

Hosea Macharinyang ( Pokot) 36:34.0

John Chepkwony (Thika) 36:36.0

John Mwangangi (Prisons) 36:37.0

Geoffrey Kirui (Keringet) 36:38.0

Linus Chumba (Embakasi) 36:45.0