Sironko, Uganda - Defending champion and former regional cross country champion Isaac Kiprop and on form Adero Nyakisi emerged victorious at the one day Ugandan Road Running Championships held over the 20km distance that were held on Sunday 14 September on the Eastern slopes of Mount Elgon in the Sironko district about 350km away from the Ugandan capital of Kampala.

MEN: Kiprop bounces back in style

Kiprop who runs for Sebei College Club upped the pace in the last 2km pulling away from James Kibet, last year's representative at the Udine World Road Running Championships to break the Sironko finishing tape in 1:03.34.

“My victory is a stern warning to Boniface Kiprop, Wilson Kipkemei and Moses Kipsiro and others that I am now back to serious business, the champion said.

Kiprop started serious training three months ago after passing out of military service and said he greatly missed the trio in the race. Kiprop and Kipsiro were participating at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart.

“I would have run a better time if they had been in the race. I was depending on the junior runners who did not set a good pace." said Kiprop.

Standard High’s duo of James Kibet and Moses Cherop finished with 1:04:33 and 1:07:80 in second and third places respectively.

WOMEN: Nyakisi upstages Webombesa

The reigning Ugandan 5000m champion, Adero Nyakisi was the favourite from the beginning of the race For the opening 10km she ran in the leading pack that comprised former World Youth champion Catherine Webombesa, MTN Kampala Marathon Champion Jane Suuto and Dorcus Chesang. However, soon afterwards Adero took charge of the competition to shrug off strong opposition of Webombesa to cross the line in 1:17.02.

“It was a sweet victory after upstaging the strong opposition. I ran all out from 10km because I could not take chances. Anything could happen especially with strong rivals running behind you,” smiling Adero said.

Daniel Senfuma and Namayo Mawerere for IAAF

TOP RESULTS:

Men
1.    Isaac Kiprop (Sebei)  1:03:34
2.    James Kibet (Standard) 1:04:33
3.    Moses Cherop (Standard) 1:07:80
4.    Jackson Kiprop (Prisons) 1:08:00
5.    Gilbert Kipkosgei (Ndejje University) 1:08:13
6.    Eluid Baratung (Arua) 1:08:18

Women
1.    Adero Nyakisi (Prisons) 1:17:02
2.    Catherine Webombesa (UPDF) 1:19:04
3.    Jane Suuto (Arua) 1:20:10
4.    Irene Chemusto (Prisons) 1:23:20
5.    Immaculate Chemutai (Ndejje University) 1:25:00
6.    Dorcus Chesang (Arua) 1:25:50