EASY WIN FOR STARS: Rungaru rules Nairobi Cross Country Championship

James Rungaru wins s men 10km race during the Nairobi Cross country championship.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD.

The reigning Africa Cross Country champion James Rungaru and Rosemary Wanjiru overcome the scorching sun to cuff the Nairobi Cross Country meeting with easy victories in the men’s 10km and women’s 10km at Nairobi’s Posta Grounds yesterday.

Rungaru and All African Games 5000m silver medallist Wanjiru blew apart the field finishing the race in 27:21.0 and 31:34.0 respectively to qualify for the national trials slated for February 18, 2017.

Andrew Lorot ran a tactical race to finish second in 27:37.8, ahead of Sammy Kirui who clocked 27:37.3 to close the podium finish.

Experienced road runner Margaret Wangare finished second with a time of  32:26.5 to edge out Jecinta Wanjohi (32:55.4) who crossed the line at third place.

“It was too hot but I made it with ease. I didn’t want to burn out because the big trials is next Saturday.

"My focus is to make it to the team to IAAF World Cross Country then come back and concentrate on World Championship which is later this easy in London. I couldn’t make it to Kenya for Olympics trials last year so, I must prepare early for Word championship," said the 24-year old Rungaru.

Organisers decided to give wildcards to top runners in women's junior race where World Junior steeplechase champion Celephine Chepeek was among the notable names.

The organisers also gave the former Africa Junior cross country champion Moses Mukono a wildcard ticket to the trials.

“We had to protect some of our athletes not to burn out ahead of the big event which is next weekend. That’s why we decided to give them direct tickets," said Nairobi branch chairman Barnaba Korir.

In the absence of the county’s top-ranked junior women runners, Winfred Mutile easily won the 6km race with a time of 18:38.5 beating Beatrice Chebet (18:56.6) and Abigael Chelangat (9:02.2) to second and third positions.

In the men’s 8km junior race, World junior 500m bronze medallist and Japan-based Wesley Ledama led from the gun and controlled the four-lap race to win the race in 21:34.2.