Bomet County: Former junior champ Cherop wins in Sotik

2016 Africa Junior X-Country gold medalist Miriam Cherop(Center) in action during the sotik xcountry competition. Cherop won the 8KM senior women. The 18-year-old beat a strong field of athletes among them 2014 5000M commonwealth champion Mercy cherono.Photo by Gilbert Kimutai/standard

2016 Africa Junior Cross Country champion Miriam Cherop shook off a strong field to win the Sotik Athletics Kenya Cross Country championships at Cereals grounds yesterday.

Cherop, who recently graduated from the junior competition, clocked 32:56:01 to win the hotly contested 10km senior women race.

Cherop was closely followed by Norah Chebet who clocked 33:35:00 with Gladys Jerono timing 33:43:01 for third position.

2014 5000m Commonwealth Games gold medalist Mercy Cherono who made her return after a two-year break booked her place in the upcoming regional cross country competition slated for next month. She clocked 34:33:00 to close the six best positions.

Julius Tanki braced the hot weather conditions to win the senior men race in 28:18:00 to emerge top. Isaac Kemboi clocked 28:35:01 for second, while Bernard Ngeno closed the podium places in 28:42:00.

The 6km junior women race was won by Emmaculate Anyango in 19:33:00 with Celestine Chepkirui second in 19:41:00. Desma Chepkoech was third in 20:00:01 with Cynthia Chepngeno finishing fourth in 20:23:01.

Edwin Koskei won the 8km junior men race after registering a Personal Best time of 22:03:00. He was closely followed by Leonard Bett in 22:07:06.

Athletics Kenya Bomet Branch chairman John Kimetto said the event was used to pick a team of 28 athletes who will proceed to regional cross country competition.

Kimetto said the athletes will face off with athletes from Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho and Kajiado counties during the South Rift competition slated for February 9 at Kericho Teachers College. [Gilbert Kimutai]