Two-time World Cross Country champion secures top spot in police championships

Geoffrey Kimworor wins 10km Men race during the National Police Service cross country championship at Ngong race course on Jan 13, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

World cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Stacy Ndiwa won the National Police Service Cross Country Championships at Ngong Race Course yesterday.

Representing Western, Kamworor exchanged the lead with newcomer Noah Kipkemboi, who competed as a guest, before blowing him away with one lap to go to win the 10km race in 29:11.2 –earning his fifth police cross country championships title.

Kipkemboi clocked 29:28.2 to finish second ahead of Central’s Josephat Bett (29:32.5). Emmanuel Bett settled for fourth place in a time of 29:49.4. Joseph Kiptum (29:57.9) while Kipsang Temoi was fifth in 30:09.5.

“I’m so used to competing here at Ngong Race Course. I was sure of victory. And I’m grateful for winning my fifth title. Now, next target is to defend my IAAF World Half Marathon title in Valencia. My target there is to win it for the third time in a row,” said Kamworor, who studied at Lelboinet Boys High School in Keiyo South.

Kipkemboi, a runner up finisher at the cross country season opener at Ndalat Gaa in October last year eyes the Africa cross country slot.

“I hope to make it past the national into the African team. The race was fair considering I was competing against the likes of Kamworor. I’m contented with my performance,” Kipkemboi said.

Running for Kenya Police College, 25-year-old Ndiwa beat a strong field to reclaim the police title she won in 2015.

The Iten-based Ndiwa exchanged the lead with steeplechase specialist Beatrice Chepkoech of Anti-Stock Theft Unit and General Service Unit (GSU) Ruth Chepngetich before pulling away with four kilometres go to win in 34:06.8.

Chepkoech (34:24.8) returned second while Chepngetich came in third in 34:35.8. All Africa Games 5000m champion Margret Chelimo (34:43:5) Margaret Wangare (35:05.0) finished fourth and fifth.

“The windy conditions made it a tough race. But I am glad to win my second race. I am now focusing on the national trials, after which I will be glad to represent Kenya at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Algeria in March,” said Ndiwa, who finished fifth at the 2015 World Cross Country in Guiyang, China.

She added: “I will also try 10,000m during the Commonwealth Games trials and I hope to make the team.”

Some of the elites included world 1500m champion Elijah Manangoi and three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop and Augustine Choge.