ATHLETICS: Obiri and Jepkosgei set for KDF race

Joyceline Jepkosgei (left) and Hellen Obiri during the 37th edition of the Kenya Defense Forces Cross Country Championship at Moi Air base on Jan 12, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri will once again square it out with World Half Marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei at Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) cross country Championships at Kahawa Barracks on Friday.

The 38th edition will also see a duel for supremacy in men’s 10 km race when World Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kirui lines up against Hillary Kering, the reigning KDF cross country champion, representing Marsabit.

Last year, Kering posted 29:34.3 to upset the field with Frankline Ngelel, from Laikipia Air, Base finishing second ahead of John Chepkwony of Thika.

Obiri, a Corporal, won the 2018 title in a time of 33:31.6 for her Laikipia Air Base team ahead of Jepkosgei of Marsabit, who timed 33:38.4.

Moi Air Base’s Perine Nengampi  finished third clocking 33:57.0.

The two stars will once again take the center stage as they seek tickets to what promises to be a bruising battle for national-cum-World cross country trials set for February 23, at Eldoret Sports Club.

Team Kenya to the world event slated for March 30 in Aarhus, Denmark, will be picked during the trials in Eldoret. The meet will be Obiri’s second this season.