Kipchirichir, Jeruto shine: Siblings take top two spots in women’s senior race

Norah Jeruto from Baringo County celebrates after winning University of Eldoret Annual Cross Country Championship race in Eldoret yesterday. [PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD]

Africa 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Norah Jeruto and Josphat Kipchirchir won the 28th University of Eldoret cross country meeting on Saturday.

Jeruto, who made her debut internationally at the 2011 IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Lille, France, led her younger sister Daisy Chepkemei, the 2012 World Under-20 3,000m champion, in taking the top two places.

Their brilliant display was simply a reenactment of the good show they staged in the streets of Astana, Kazakhstan, early this year.

They shot into the front and toyed around their opponents before stepping up the pace that separated them from the chasing pack.

Jeruto won in 33:43.9 ahead of Chepkemei (34:03.3) and Daisy Kimeli (34:48.2). Sheila Jelagat (34:48.2), former Barcelona marathon winner Valary Jemeli (35:26.8) and Kenyan-turned-Turk Yasemin Can, sixth at the European Championships last August, followed.

Jeruto said: “I was well prepared at Ndalat cross country and I did not win. God had good plans and enabled me to win this race.  I am preparing for the World Cross Country championships next year (in Aarhus, Denmark). I expect to perform well.”

Chepkemei said: “I harbour no interests in next year’s cross country. I am targeting 2020 Olympic Games (in Tokyo). I dared Norah that I will win the race but unfortunately I did not,” said Chepkemei.

In men’s front, Kipchirchir blew away a quality line up to win the 10km race in 30:19.4. Frankline Ngelel (30.24.8), Joshua Kiplagat (30:27.3), Elvis Cheboi (30:31.4) and Letaiya Simon (30.35.9) followed in that order.

Kipchirchir said: “I used the race to test the ground ahead of the season. I won Discovery Kenya cross country this year which gave me confidence.”

World under-20 5,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto inspired his younger brother Bravin Kogei into winning the junior men’s race.

The 19-year-old Kipruto ran a brilliant 26:46 –which is two seconds shy of Leonard Komon’s world 10km record –at the Birell Prague Grand Prix last month.

And Kogei obliterated a big field to win junior men’s race in 24:21.2. Gideon Kipngetich (24:25.1) and Solomon Boit topped.