Eldoret, Kenya - Reigning Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot’s bid for another win in the Discovery cross country failed after he finished third in the 15th edition of the annual event held on Sunday 28 January.
 
Cheruiyot, a former winner of the event, who said he was using the race to prepare for the Lisbon Half Marathon and his defence of the Boston Marathon title, saw his hopes go-up in smoke when the eventual winner Evans Cheruiyot and Hosea Macharinyang powerfully resisted his challenge in the final stages of the 12km senior men’s race.

Cheruiyot (Evans) won in 37:54 followed by Macharinyang and (Robert) Cheruiyot, in that order.
 
The race held at the Eldoret Sports Club was attended by emerging Ethiopian star, Tariku Bekele, the World Junior 5000m champion, as a spectator. Also in attendence was IAAF Council Member and Athletics Kenya Chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat and Athletics Kenya Secretary General David Okeyo.

The junior men's 8km race saw the emergence of a new star Matthew Kisorio who is following in his late father Some Muge’s footsteps. The athlete who missed the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China, last year due to lack of a passport, won the race in 25:23.

World Junior Cross Country champion Pauline Korikwang continued to display top form by winning the 6km junior women’s race in 21:39. Gladys Chemweno was second and third place went to Mercy Kosgei.
 
The senior women’s race saw the return of Pamella Chepchumba. She won in 28:33 after overtaking Priscah Jepletting in a burst of speed with 200 metres to go.

Boston Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo drop out in the third lap saying her shoes were slipping on the grass course. ‘I did not want to continue slipping to the finish considering I have a race next week in a half marathon in Dubai,’ she said.
 
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF

Results

12km SENIOR MEN
(1) Evans Cheruiyot 37:54
(2) Hosea Macharinyang 37:56
(3) Robert Cheruiyot 38:14
(4) Bernard Kiprop 38:39
(5) Dancun Kirui 38:45
(6) Andrew Kipsat 38:46
(7) William Kipsang 38:51
(8) George Kirwa 39:02

 8km JUNIOR MEN
(1) Mathew Kisorio 25:23
(2) John Sombol 25:27
(3) Bernard Kiplagat 25:42
(4) Gilbert Maina 25:59
(5) Stephen Tum 26:04
(6) Joel Kimwarer 26:09
(7) Kibet Loiton 26:10
(8) Philemon Kanda 26:12

 6km JUNIOR WOMEN
(1) Pauline Korikwang 21:39
(2) Gladys Chemweno 21:56
(3) Mercy Kosgei 22:08
(4) Pamela Lisoreng 22:19
(5) Jebichi Yator 22:46
(6) Joyline Jelang’at 23:18
(7) Alice Kibor 23:34
(8) Ruth Jebet 23:40

 8km SENIOR WOMEN
(1) Pamella Jechumba 28:33
(2) Prisca jepletting 28:35
(3) Frida Domongole 28:49
(4) Ann Jeptanui 29:16
(5) Sharon Cherop 29:39
(6) Eunice Jepkorir 29:43
(7) Flomena Cheyech 29:48
(8) Peninah Arusei 29:54