On-form Sheila Chepng’etich maintained her cross-running superiority after winning her third Premium title as upcoming Philip Langat improved his running by capturing the senior men 12km crown during the fourth Athletics Kenya Cross-country at Nyandarua Institute of Science and Technology in Nyahururu.
Chepng’etich, who is running in the senior ranks for the first time this year, showed no respect to her former junior training mate Faith Chepng’etich, who could not put up with her well-calculated long strides.
“I am very happy with my shape. My training is going on well in Iten during this school holidays and I hope to maintain it for the World cross-country next year,” said the Form 3 student at Liloch secondary in Kipkelion in Kericho.
Chepng’etich, the reigning world junior champion and national 1500m record holder, grudgingly accepted second place completing the flat and grassy course in 26:19.7 while experienced Beatrice Mutai arrived third in 26:29.8. Reigning champion Emmily Chebet finished fifth behind Chepleting Busienei and ahead of Virginia Nyambura.
Chebet timed 26:40.3 while Busienei and Nyambura crossed in 26:33.4 and 26:55.6. Philip Langat, who finished second in Iten mid last month, beat a crowded 12km senior men’s event after a see-saw with earlier leader Emmanuel Kipsang in the last stages of the well contested class.
The winner, fifth during this year’s Africa cross-country championship in Uganda, hit the tape in 34 minutes and 56.8 seconds to take the top prize of Sh25,000 and declared his intention to extend the winning streak to the World championship.
“My dream is to win the World Championship title in China next year. I have improved greatly after my first international cross country this year in Uganda. I will continue training hard before the national selection next year,” said Langat, 24, who trains in Kericho with cross-country sensation Paul Tanui.
His challenger, Kipsang, eased to second position timing 35:14.5 after using most of his energy trying to out-do the winner. Bernard Katui and Moses Koyiak took third and fourth places in 35:22.3 and 35:24.8 with Bernard Kipkemoi and Hillary Kemboi completing the prize list in 35:36.1 and 35:44.1 in that order.
Earlier, Sandra Chebet and Iten-based Julius Tanki excelled in the junior classes, winning the 6km and 8km.
Sandra, from Keringet in Nakuru, covered the three 2km laps in 19:50.7. Mercy Chemutai and Pauline Eapan were second and third after clocking 20:00.2 and 20:20.0.
In junior men, Tanki won in 23:04.1. Emmanuel Bett (23:05.9), Alfred Ng’eno (23:15.9), Syrins Loikore (23:16.5) and Andrew Lorot, 23:19.8 completed the first five places.
