Chebet, Mukono win KCB cross-country series jackpot

By Joseph Ngure

Athletes compete in the KCB cross-country final series in Eldoret yesterday. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG’/STANDARD]

The Kenya Commercial Bank cross-country series ended in Eldoret yesterday with two of last year’s jackpot winners repeating the feat.

Agnes Chebet and Moses Mukono topped the contestants’ lists in the junior 6km and 8km races while the winners in the senior categories are yet to be decided.

During the event held at the Eldoret Polytechnic, Berlin marathon champion Florence Kiplagat and little known Rono Kurgat won the senior races.

Kiplagat, also a former world cross-country champion, overcame stiff rivalry from fellow marathoner Beatrice Mutai to take the title in the 8km senior women’s race.

She clocked 26:23.9 while Mutai managed 26:34.4 ahead of third-placed Jepleting Busienei who finished in 26:48.6.

In the senior men’s 12km run, Rono displayed great talent after overpowering 140 participants that included polished marathoners.

He finished in 35:13.9 with closest rival Julius Kogo stopping the timer in 35:25.4 in the race watched by Athletics Kenya top officials.

In the 8km men’s race, Frankline Ngelel finished first, clocking 23:16.9, but failed to be named overall winner due to his low time,  paving the way for Mukono to be crowned the ultimate jackpot winner.

The track event saw Davis Kiplagat come third after clocking 23:23.0 followed by Isaac Langat  in 23:26.2.

John Langat and Hillary Langat finished fifth and sixth, clocking 23:29.4 and 23:30.1 respectively in one of the most competitive field events.

In the 6km women’s race, Faith Chepng’etich and Vickoty Chepng’etich finished fifth and sixth, clocking an impressive 27:01.3 and 27:13.6 respectively.

The two jackpot winners were awarded Sh200,000 for their impressive performance.         

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