Nairobi County: U-20 champion Chespol outpaces Aprot

Celliphine Chespol races to victory at the Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships held at Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College on January 26, 2019. [Dennis Okeyo]

Two-time World Under-20 steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol finally ended Alice Aprot’s reign after a bruising battle at the Prisons Cross Country Championships at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru yesterday.

Chespol, who is also the Under-20 steeplechase world record-holder made her intention known early in the race when she matched Aprot step by step in the first three laps before taking command of the race to win after 33:14.9 minutes.

Aprot, the Africa 10,000m silver medalist timed 33:32.0 to finish second while Loice Chemning was a distant third in 34:21.9.

Nancy Nzisa clocked 34:24.5 for fourth place.

“Last year, I finished second in this meet and I’m glad I have improved on that and will be happy to make the Kenyan team during the trials,” said Chespol, who won silver in 3,000m steeplechase at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last year.

Charles Muneria, 2016 Africa Cross Country bronze medalist shrugged off stiff competition to become the new Prisons champion.

Muneria, 22, dictated the race ran under scorching sun to emerge victorious in 29:12.5.

Joshua Nakeri, running as a guest, timed 29:32.2 in second place.

Emmanuel Ngatuny representing Nairobi finished third.

1500m specialist Silas Kiplagat (30:15.9) finished fourth ahead of Wilfred Chepkwony (30:17.3).

The 2018 champion Cornelius Kangogo failed in his bid to defend his title finishing tenth.

“It’s good to open my season with a victory, though the race was not easy considering it was too hot and the opponents were tough.

“I will be aiming for top spot at the national trials in Eldoret,” Muneria said. [Dennis Okeyo]