Shining in mountain: Former world cross country champion Kibiwott and Mbishei shine in Kapsokwony Meeting

Titus Mbishei crossing the finish line at the third AK Cross Country meeting in Kapsokwony.

Two-time world cross country champion Viola Kibiwott and 2009 world cross country silver medalist Titus Mbishei brilliantly won at the third Athletics Kenya cross-country meeting in Kapsokwony, Mount Elgon, yesterday.

Reigning 5,000m world junior silver medalist and home girl Linah Cheruto and newcomer Rodgers Chumo also shone in the high altitude ground of Kapsokwony High.

Kibiwott beat home-based runner Magdaline Masai, who won at the second meeting in Iten. 

Kibiwott stormed into the lead at 6km mark with Masai neck to neck but, with 500m to the finish, she sprinted the hilly course to beat Masai to the finish.

The winner, who was using the race to prepare for World Championships in Beijing next year, stopped the timer in 28:45:3 with Masai second in 28:52:0. Nancy Chepkemoi sealed the podium at 29:59.8.

Mbisei returned into the limelight after spending two years nursing tendon injury. He beat 52 athletes to claim the men’s senior race.

He beat his close rivals that included Emmanuel Bor, Julius Kogo among other clean pair of heels as he produced a devastating kick to victory in 37:12:3.

Kogo, a regular cross country runner, was second in 37:19:0 as Emmanuel Bor, the Iten meeting winner (37:32:75) and Peter Emase (37:47.47) was third and fourth.

Selected results

Senior men:

1. Titus Mbishei- 37:12:3

2. Julius Kogo- 37:19:0

3. Emmanuel Bor- 37:32:75

4. Peter Emase- 37:47:47

5. Davis Masai- 38:03:2

Senior women:

1. Viola Kibiwott- 28:456:3

2. Magdaline Masai- 28:52:0

3. Nancy Chepkemoi- 28:59:8

4. Leonida Mosop- 29:04:4

5. Juliet Aswani-29:24:3

Junior men:

1. Rodgers Chumo- 24:27:7

2. Fredrick Kipkosgei- 24:29:0

3. Gilbert Kwemoi- 24:45:8

4. Michael Bett 25:07:8

5. Peter Kipngetich- 25:21:3

Junior women:

1. Linah Cheruto 21:15:8

2. Valentine Matebo- 21:19:4

3. Celestine Kwachai-21:48:3

4. Charity Chemeli 22:19:9

5. Dinah Cherop- 24:02:6