A FLYING START: Chepkoech, Kiptarus win as cross country season begins in Nairobi

Caroline Chepkoech leads Visiline Chepkesho (012), Nancy Nzisa (014) the 10km women race during the Athletics kenya Nairobi Country Cross Country Championship at Posta Grounds along Ngong Road on November 7, 2015. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Former Africa Junior Cross Country champion Caroline Chepkoech and Dominic Kiptarus yesterday won the first leg of the Athletics Kenya Cross Country at the Posta grounds, Ngong Road.

Chepkoech clocked 32:19.2 to beat Nancy Nzisa (32:41.8) and Lisbon Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho (33:09.1) in the newly re-formatted senior women’s 10km race.

Kiptarus, 19, who finished fourth at the 2015 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang, China, clinched the senior men’s title (28:08.5) in a closely-contested race ahead of Bernard Kipkemoi (28:10.3) and Geoffrey Kimutai (28:13.3).

They were followed by Cleophas Ngetich (28:17.0), World Junior Cross Country silver medalist Geoffrey Korir (28:20.6) and Stephen Arita (28.49.6), who finished fourth in the 10,000m at the World Military Games in Seoul.

Chepkoech’s victory comes barely a month after she won the season curtain-raiser — Ndalat Gaa cross country meeting — on her return from a lengthy leg injury.

“I have been out for over five months, but I am very happy to win my second title in less than a month.

“Competing against experienced road racers is not an easy thing and I knew it would be tough but I am glad my tactics to open up the gap in the second last lap paid off,” Chepkoech said.

The 21-year-old promising athlete said her target is to make the Kenya team to the Africa Cross Country and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“I am now fully fit and my focus is to make the team for Africa Cross Country and Olympics.

“The two victories will motivate me for the rest of the season as I look forward to competing with the likes of Cherono (Mercy) in the 5,000m for Olympic slot,” Chepkoech said.

Kiptarus also could not hide his joy after emerging victorious in a star-studded Senior Men’s 10km race.

“It was one of my toughest races in the recent times. I didn’t start well, but picked up in the middle of the race. Being my first senior race, I really enjoyed it.

“It was a sweet victory but as far as I am concerned, I am not yet a champion as my aim is to compete at the Africa Cross Country and Olympic,” said the younger brother of London Olympian Anthony Chemut.

Despite finishing third, Paris Marathon bronze medalist Jepkesho said she enjoyed the experience in her first ever cross country race.

“Naturally, I am a marathoner but was trying to gain speed in cross country. I came here for training because we will be having the Prisons championships early next year. I just want to run in all the meets and hopefully represent the country in Africa Cross Country and the Olympics,” Jepkesho said.