TRACK MASTERS: Kiprotich and Cheptai win Tuskys cross country in Eldoret

TUSKEYS CROSS COUNTRY RACE ELDORET. Ronald Kiprotich 18 from Nakuru County celebrate after winning 12 km senior race during Tuskeys Wareng Cross Country 12 edition yesterday. He won the race clocking 28:03.6. PHOTOS BY PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD.

Africa cross-country championships junior silver medallist Ronald Kiprotich Kirui and 2008 world cross-country junior medallist Irene Chebet Cheptai are the winners of the 12th edition of Tuskys cross country championships held at the Huruma Ground in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County yesterday.

The third best performer of the race was Former world Youth 3,000m steeplechase champion Lilian Kasait, who successfully outplayed host of world leading athletes, scooping 6km women’s race while Africa Cross country runner Nicholas Kimeli was on top in 8km junior men.

With records of failing to produce valid documents to confirm he was a junior runner, Kirui decided to run in his senior category before graduating into the cadre.

This time round he proved by beating former world junior cross-country champion Moses Mukono and Japheth Korir together with 2013 world cross country champion Japheth Korir.

“I was disappointed was when I realised that I did not carry my passport and even documents to prove that I was a junior, but I managed to lift the title,” said Kirui who last week paced at Delhi half marathon where Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge won.

He faced off with Mukono and Korir after two laps. Mukono who was the eventual winner, took a wrong direction towards the finish line, before changing his mind. Kirui had overtaken him to cut the tape first in 28:03.6.

Mukono lamented the manner in which officials had misled him to miss the top prize on the day meant for his win.

“I was the rightful winner because I had left Kirui by a distance. I was misled and recovering took too long, and even though I recovered, I had lost the prize. Today was not my day and there is next time for me,” said Mukono who clocked 28:07.2 while newcomer Timothy Rono closed the podium in 28:08.2.

Irene Cheptai, who has remained silent after posting poor results at last year’s world cross country and world championships, won the race ahead of former world half-marathon bronze medallist Gladys Chesir.
Cheptai opened the gap with just three laps and extended it, enjoying the lead to the tape ahead of Chesir, who last week finished 4th at the Airtel Delhi half marathon.

“The course was too windy but I managed to overcome it. Next on my calendar is training for world cross country championships in Kampala, Uganda,” said Cheptai who cut the tape in 31:15.9.

Chesir, just recovering from last week’s Delhi run, was second in 31:41.4 followed by Kenyan born turned Turkish international Yasmin Can formerly Vivian Jemutai in 32:01.8.

Lilian Kasait beat a host of world leading athletes like Ednah Cheboitok, Sandra Felis Chebet and Celphine Chepoek.