READY FOR TRIALS: World half champion Kamworor and Ndiwa shine at Police Championships

Florence Kiplagat wins 8km Police Cross-country Championship at Ngong Racecourse in 2014 PHOTO?DENNIS OKEYO

The National Police Service cross country championships produced a fair share of exciting tales at the Ngong Race course.

World half-marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor sealed his third consecutive title at the championships in the men’s 12km contest yesterday.

After missing out in national team since 2008 when she won the Commonwealth Games Youth 1,500m title, Stasy Ndiwa upset the women’s established order, which included 2011 triple world champion Vivian Cheruiyot, then announced her bid to make the cut this year.

Kamworor, a former world cross country junior champion, outran a strong field to win in the lush green but bushy cross-country circuit under warm weather conditions.

The 22-year-old Kamworor produced a sudden burst of speed that reduced the field to shreds on the penultimate circuit, winning in 37:23.1.

Mathew Kisorio, who has a five-time stab at the world cross country (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013), came second in 37:33.8) as Africa cross country junior champion Moses Mukono (37:39.4) came third.

Former world indoor champion Augustine Choge (37:57.6), newcomer Joseph Kiptum (37:59.6) and David Kogei (38:06.7) followed.

Kamworor said: “I want to make the team to world cross country and registered as a junior (2011) and senior champion at the world cross country.”

Kisorio said he wants to break away from his perennial out-of-the-podium finishes and emulate his father, the late Some Muge, who was Kenya’s first medalist at the world cross country.

Ndiwa broke away from Janet Kisa, the Africa cross country silver medalist, in the final 200m stretch to victory in 28:31.2. Kisa (28:33.0) returned second, while Vivian Cheruiyot (28:36.9) and Ivy Kiyeng (28:37.4) followed. All Africa 1,500m champion Irene Jelagat (28:40.7) and two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat (28:44.7) sealed the top five spots.

Ndiwa said: “The tactics worked well for me. I want to return to national team after seven years of unsuccessful attempts.”

Cheruiyot said: “The tendon injury has healed. I now need to work on speed which, if it picks well in time, I will strive to double in Beijing (World Athletics Championships).”