Athletics: Bett, Chebet shine at Cross Country series

Beatrice Chebet leads women's 6km race during the AK Cross Country Championships at Post Grounds. [Dennis Okeyo]

Former World Junior 5,000m champion David Bett fired early warning as she won men’s 10km at the first leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Championship at Nairobi’s Posta Grounds yesterday.

In the women's event, Sandra Felis Chebet cruised to victory after beating the IAAF World Cross Country bronze medalist Lilian Kasait who finished second.

Bett, who hails from Keringet, the home of top stars, timed 29:11.9 to cross the line ahead of Peter Matelong (29:29.8). Peter Njoroge came third with 29:30.8.

“Actually, this is my first major race since 2015, I was out of competition due to injury. For now, my body is responding well in training. My target now that I am fully back in action is to make it the 5,000m squad to the Commonwealth Games in Australia in next year” said Bett who also won silver medal in 3,000m at the IAAF World Youth in 2009 in Brixen, Italy.  

Chebet, the Colombia World Youth Championships 2,000m steeplechase silver medalist, proved too strong for her opponents as she broke away from the leading pack with two kilometres to finish the race in 32:53.2.

Kasait dipped in 33:14.9 to finish second ahead of Gloria Kite (34:01.9) who settled for third place.

“The course was very muddy, making it very difficult to run. I’m glad to win this event having also won the season opener at Ndalat Ngaa Cross Country two weeks ago. I'm looking forward to the season. I will be happy to feature run for Kenya at Africa Cross Country in Algiers as part of my 5,000m trials for Commonwealth Games” said Chebet.

In the six-kilometre junior category ranks, Kiprono Sitonik out sprinted Sila Kiptoo and Nicholas Chelule to win boy’s under 20 race. Sitonik posted 23:35.5 ahead of Kiptoo who timed 23:48.8 while Chelule came in third at 23:57.1.

In the corresponding under 20 women, Beatrice Chebet commanded the race, winning it in a time of 20:01.9 ahead of Agnes Makali who crossed the line in 20:10.9. Janet Chepkoech finished with a time of 20:17.6. [Dennis Okeyo]