Ronald Kipngetich and Naomi Kemboi emerged top in the 8km Athletics Kenya Nyanza South region cross country hosted at Rabuor Primary School in Kisumu on Saturday.
Kipngetich won in 29:50 followed by Benard Kiprono (29:51) and Victor Otieno (31:55) with Austine Onyango, Dennis Oduor and Marquens Okoth completing the top six in the boy’s category.
In junior women six-kilometre, Naomi Kemboi won in 26:15 followed by Cynthia Adhiambo at second place in 35:46 and Eunice Achieng (38:02) came in third.
In the 10km race, Shadrack Kipchirchir and Merselina Cherono emerged top.
Kipchirchir won the men’s 10km contest in 38:16.06 followed by Willy Kiprono (40:08.05), Caleb Otieno (43:06:08) and Evans Omondi (43:49.07) who came second, third and fourth as John Bosco (44:21.01) sealed top five spots.
In the senior women category, Cherono who was the sole participant won in 42:30.13.
In junior men’s category, Shadrack Kiprotich won in 24:33 as Derrick Kipyengon (22:44) and Kennedy Ochieng (23:29), Fenton Otieno (23:59), Dennis Otieno (30:23) and Zachary Otiende (30:30) sealed the top six.
In women’s Under-18 five-kilometre race, Sheila Kwambai topped in 22:21, ahead of Sharon Nekesa (23:02) and Cynthia Chelangat (23:29).
AK Nyanza North chairman Joseph Ochieng called upon schools across Nyanza to release students for future upcoming sports events after the cross country attracted few athletes.
“We witnessed very low turnout this year because schools did not release all students to take part in the races. This is a missed opportunity for the lads who make up 90 per cent of the youth games and I would like to call upon schools to give the youngsters a chance next time,” Ochieng said.
The Ministry of Education banned sports in all schools when learning resumed in January.