By JONATHAN KOMEN
World cross-country team landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport last evening to a reception replete with pomp and colour.
At hand to receive them back home following their exploits in Bydgoszcz were their family members, relatives, and friends.
The crowd broke into wild cheers as gold medalists – Faith Chepng’etich, Emily Chebet, and Japhet Korir – walked out, which took activities at the airport to a near standstill.
Korir’s mother, Zeddy Lang’at, hugged her son and garlanded him with Sinendet, a Kalenjin ornamental plant used to bless community heroes, as the crowd carried Chepng’etich and Chebet shoulders high.
Airport police officers and security personnel had a hard time controlling the large crowd.
But the procession, which had traditional dancers blowing horns and all proceeded to the Inter-Continental Hotel for dinner.
Mama Zeddy then led the mursik (sour milk)-drinking fanfare that usually greets returning world-beaters.
With immense joy showing on her face, Mama Zeddy said: “I went into a frenzy as my son defeated the Ethiopian. I almost broke the television screen trying to convince him to keep the pace high as I prayed, let God give my son a chance to beat the tough Ethiopians this time.
“And since Japhet is a child of God, he won the race. He has made us proud and I will reward him with a bull.”
But Chebet, the only Kenyan female athlete to have struck world cross-country title twice, said she was grateful to have ruled the world cross-country this season.
“It was a great feat that few have accomplished,” Chebet said while cuddling her four-year-old daughter Zera Cherono.
The runner, who trains at Duka Moja area near Kericho, added: “I am happy it gave Kenyans a sigh of relief after heartbreaks caused by the Ethiopians in the past. I decided to compete as an individual.”
Chebet, who was branded the Kericho Express, said the win has motivated her to try her hand at the track this season, competing in 5,000m and 10,000m.
Her husband Edward Muge was also beaming with happiness. “This is a perfect gift for our family. I was certain she could win.”
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