Youngster Kiprop wins in south rift

By Feverpitch Reporter

Budding talent, Amos Kiprop and Caroline Chepkwony won the senior races of the South Rift provincial cross-country championships held at the Laikipia Airbase in Nanyuki.

At the same time, Nyanza South has selected 21 runners to represent the province during the February 20 National Championships after holding their selection event on Friday.

In South Rift, Kiprop breasted the tape in 35:39.07 in the men’s senior 12km to pip his closest challenger, Albert Matebor (35:40.07) who settled for second during the race ultimately decided in a sprint finish. Both top finishers hail from Koibatek.

Amos Kiprop from Koibatek (bib number 188) on his way to victory in the 12km race at the South Rift cross country meet at Laikipia Moi Airbase on Saturday. [PHOTOS: CORRESPONDENT/ STANDARD]

"Today’s race was not very difficult, the weather was perfect, there was no dust and I had trained for this event," an exhausted Kiprop told reporters after the race.

Leonard Lagat posted 35:50.02 to lead the chasing pack home in third after dropping off the leading pace with three kilometres to go.

Third was Lagat Leonard, from Sotik clocking 35:50:02. Richard Sigei, from Kipkelion and Edward Muge from Sotik closed the top-five bracket with times of 35:56.00 and 35: 59.09.

master class

The women’s 8km race was all about Chepkwony, who delivered a master class to 50 challengers while surging to victory in 28:23.04.

The winner led from gun to tape, at one point establishing a 200m gap between her and runner-up Emily Muge (Sotik) who accepted the bridesmaid role five seconds adrift. Gladys Kipsoi (Laikipia West) was third.

Runners from Kericho dominated the men’s 8km junior event with Japheth Korir clocking 24:11.09 for victory ahead of David Bett (24:23.02) who was second.

Koibatek’s Charles Kimeli (24:17.02) broke Kericho’s hegemony in the podium.

Faith Chepng’etich, from Molo won the 6km junior women race with 21:17:03 followed by Caroline Chepkoech from Sotik (21:39:02) and Vicoty Chepng’eno (Kericho). Mobile phone service provider, Safaricom sponsored the event where Athletics Kenya (AK) chair, Isaiah Kiplagat attended.

Women senior race

In Nyanza South, Justus Mogere was the clear winner in the men’s long race in 36:19 ahead of Nyamira North Joseph Ayira (36:35) and Jairus Chanchima (36:45).

Risper Gesabwa (28:14) emerged victorious in the women’s senior 8km relegating veteran Irene Mogaka (28:25) to third. Marceline Ondieki (28:17) was second.

The junior races were commanded by Emmanuel Ngatuny (23:54) and Jane Onyangi (21:00), the victor’s in the men 8km and women 6km events.

Other provinces that held their events over the weekend include, North Rift, Nyanza North, Southern and North Eastern. They will forward the names of their teams to AK who will include them on the start list.