Kiplagat triumphs: Berlin Marathon Champion braves hot weather to excel at Police cross country meeting

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Florence Kiplagat celebrates her win in 8km women’s race.

Berlin Marathon champion, Florence Kiplagat was unstoppable as she won the women’s 8km race during the 22nd edition of the National Police Service Cross Country Championship at Ngong Race Course in Nairobi yesterday.

Kiplagat, representing Eastern,  clocked  27.44.0 to win under radiant skies in the mid morning weather. World Junior 1500m champion (2006), Irene Jelagat, overcame a fall and a bruised left leg in the opening mark to finish second in 28.28.7. Third place went to last year’s  Kass Marathon  12km silver medalist Edith Chelimo.

“The race was so easy for me because my body is now in shape,” said Kiplagat, who took lead from the halfway.

Her closest rival Mary Wacera, who exchanged the lead with Kiplagat, could not hold on in the final lap as she bowed out to allow the former World Cross Country Champion to excel.

Despite her amazing form which saw her win the last leg of the AK/KCB Cross Country in Eldoret a fortnight ago Kiplagat, hinted to FeverPitch that she is not keen to compete at the Africa Cross Country Championship in Kampala in March.

“I have no plan for it, it’s just a personal reason as to why am not traveling there, but Kenya has a strong squad capable of retaining and winning the Africa Cross Country,” said the 26-year-old.

Kiplagat said her aim in 2014 is to make a mark in the World Half Marathon championships, a race she won in 2010.

“I am hoping to break the record. I am currently stepping up my training in Iten and it is my hope that my plan would go through,” she said.

Even though she is non committal on defending her Berlin Marathon status Kiplagat said she is looking forward to take part in the Barcelona Half Marathon on February 16 and the London Marathon with an aim of setting a personal best if not winning. her best time is 2:19:44.

While cherishing her runners up position Jelagat said: “I was so determined to win; I did not realise I had a bruise after the fall till I finished this race.”

Jelagat said she is now going to commence training for the World Indoor Championship,   slated for Poland, at her Kaptagat base. Jelagat, who is a 1,500m runner, will not compete for Kenya in Kampala’s Africa cross country meet.

“I don’t think I have the endurance of a cross country runner, it’s tough but again I am focus for the Indoor,” she said.

Unlike Kiplagat and Jelagat, Chelimo has her focus on making the Kenya team to Kampala event. She plans to contest for a berth during the national trials on February 15.   — [email protected]