Kamworor races to his sixth title at Police meet

Three time World Half marathon champion now eyes another world title.

Two-time World Cross Country champion Geoffrey Kamworor defeated a stellar field to bag his sixth title at the Kenya Police Cross Country Championships held at the Ngong Racecourse yesterday. 

Competing for the first time this season Kamworor, 26, who is also a three-time World Half Marathon champion pushed the proceedings from the gun in his trademark fashion to floor his opponents.

Kamworor, who was running for Western clocked 29:36.1 ahead of Josephat Boit of Presidential Escort and Isaac Temoi of General Service Unit. 

Boit, a newcomer timed 29:53.9 for his his silver place while Temoi closed the podium in 29:58.8. 

Other notable faces in the top six and making the National Police Service team to the National Cross Championships-cum trials set for Eldoret on February 23 are Josephat Bett (30:04.9), Emmanuel Bett (30:08.7) and Valencia Half Marathon champion Matthew Kisorio (30:10.5). 

Kamworor said: “It was tough retaining my title because I had to wait until the last lap to shake off Boit, Temoi and Kisorio but I’m glad to have won again and looking forward to the national championship and a place at the World Cross Country championships in Aarhus (Denmark) in March.”

Boit said he was using the meeting as part of his preparation for the Barcelona Half Marathon.

"Coming here I didn’t expect to be among the top, fortunately I managed second slot. I’m not keen on running cross country but my plan is to run my first half marathon next month in Barcelona,” he said.

The women’s race provided another stellar show as the 2015 All Africa Games 10,000m champion Margaret Chelimo of Eastern won her first Police Cross Country Championships title.

Chelimo took control of the race after the runners had covered 4km to break the tape after 33:09.2 ahead of 2015 World 3000m steeplechase champion, Hyvin Kiyeng (33:43.5) as road-running specialist Pascalia Chepkorir (33:55.3) took the second one place.

“I’m delighted to win my first title having taken part since 2016. I knew the line up was strong ladies Kiyeng and Chepkoech, but I’m happy I managed to beat them having finished fifth last year, so this is a good progress,” Chelimo said. 

On her part Kiyeng, a silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics Games said: “I’m happy with my performance, this season I want to win Diamond League Trophy and but my main target for the year is to reclaim my World title in Doha.” 

World 3000m record holder Beatrice Chepkoech of Anti-Stock Theft Unit who led the first two laps returned 34:00.4 to finish fourth with Edith Chelimo (34:03.0) in fifth and Jackline Cherotich of Central (34:12.5).