Dapash, Chemtai crowned cross country champs in Eldoret

Nakuru's Raphael Dapash on his way to winning boy's cross county race at Moi Girls High School. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Rift Valley schools yesterday delivered a clean podium sweep in cross country at the National Secondary School games currently underway in Eldoret.

The region known for producing a majority of the country's world beaters in athletics clinched the top six places in both the men's and women's cross country in a tight race at Moi Girls Eldoret.

Raphael Dapash from Mutarakwa Secondary School, Nakuru County chalked up victory in the men's 8km cross country in 24:24.8 while Alice Chemtai from Trans Nzoia timed 21:12.7 to top the women's 6km race.

The two national secondary school cross-country champions booked their tickets to the East Africa games to be held in Rwanda after a tough contest in a wet Moi Girls grounds.

Dapash said the national secondary schools cross country was his major breakthrough. He said he would embark on rigorous preparations for the East Africa school games.

"I went for the Africa Under-20 trials earlier this month but I was not successful in the quest to represent Kenya in Zambia. After competing in Rwanda, I will be looking to prepare to run road races. I had prepared well because I knew it would be difficult to win in Eldoret," Dapash said.

He finished top ahead of second-placed Ronald Ngetich from Kalyongwet Secondary School, Kericho County who timed 24:33.3 and Kevin Biwot from athletics powerhouse, Sinonin (Baringo County) who crossed the finish mark in 24:56.

Faith Chepchumba from Trans Nzoia settled in second place in the women's cross country, clocking 21:49.9 in ahead of Lucy Regina from Nyahuru, Laikipia County who took the third position.

Electrifying athletics contests are expected today as 10,000m men, 1500m men and women, 5,000m women and 3,000m men are run at Moi Girls.