Barsoton dazzles at trials

Celiphine Chepteek and Sandra Felis leads the junior women 6km race during the National Cross Country Championship at Uhuru Gardens on Feb 18, 2017.[PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Kenya selected her best team as it readies for IAAF World Cross Country supremacy battle after a breathtaking showpiece at Uhuru Gardens, along Langata Road, yesterday.

Leonard Barsoton and Geoffrey Kamworor leads in senior men 10km race during the National Cross Country Championship at Uhuru Gardens on Feb 18, 2017.[PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Former Africa Cross Country champion Leornard Barsoton and Irene Cheptai powered to victory in the senior men’s and women’s categories at the event dubbed the ‘mini-worlds’.

Japan-based Barsoton, a previous third position finisher at National Cross Country meeting behind IAAF World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Bedan Karoki, took the lead with 2km to go to stop the clock at 28:56.3. It was sweet revenge as Barsoton reversed fortunes to beat arch-rivals Karoki (29:02.3) and Kamworor (29:03.4), who settled for third.

“I have finished third behind Kamworor and Bedan before, so it feels good to beat them here today and make the team as a top finisher. It was a tough race and we will be ready to compete as a team in Kampala. I have competed there during Africa Cross Country championship in 2014,” Barsoton said.

Karoki said he will not be available to compete in Kampala as he has opted to concentrate on the forthcoming London Marathon to be staged in April. “It is unfortunate, but I wish the team all the best. I was using this event as my preparation for the London Marathon,” Karoki said.

Major surprises were witnessed in the women’s 10km race when 25-year old Cheptai beat a strong field that included the reigning IAAF World Cross Country champion Agnes Tirop, Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Chepngetich and Africa Cross Country champion Alice Aprot to win the race in 31:47.5.

Making her debut at the senior ranks was Lilian Kasait, a Third Former at Saramek High School in Londiani. She finished second in a time of 31:51.9.

Cheptai, who is coached by Edris Chirchir will be making her fourth stab at World Cross Country championship with her 2015 Guiyang, China, seventh position finish as her best performance.

“I have been working very hard in training especially speed work and making the team is good. I hope to improve on my performance in Uganda,” Cheptai said.

In the junior 8km men, World Youth 3000m champion Richard Kimunyan won by clocking 23:03.2 ahead of Meshak Kyuguti (23:10.0) and the event favourite Wesley Ledama (23:13.2).

In the 6km women race, Sandra Felis Chebet (19:25.1) will lead the charge after emerging top ahead of World Junior Steeplechase champion Celiphine Chepteek (19:46.6) and Sheila Chelangat (19:49.6)

IAAF World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop will lead a strong Kenya team in the mix race relays. Margaret Nyairera, Beatrice Chepkoech and Bernard Kipkorir are also members of the relay team.

The team move to residential training camp in Kigari Teachers College, Embuon February 22.