The reigning World Junior 5000 metres champion Augustine Choge shone during today’s North Rift Valley inter-district cross country championships when he won the junior men 8km race in 22:21.
Choge beat fellow team mate Yusuf Biwot who clocked 22:43 to take second place during the championships held at the Kapenguria airstrip ground in West Pokot.
Former World Youth 1500 metres champion Isaac Songok took the senior men’s 4km race in 10:46. Bernard Kaptingei was second in 10:52, while Beatrice Jepchumba was first in the women’s race of the same distance (12:45) ahead of Pamela Anisomuk (12:47).
Linus Maiyo from North Nandi made a breakthrough in his many years’ quest to run for his North Nandi district in the national cross country championships, winning the 12km senior men’s race. Maiyo had to work extra hard to shake off renowned long distance track runner Salim Kipsang with 100 metres to go to win the race. Maiyo was timed in 34:42 and Kipsang was second in 34:48. William Todoo of West Pokot finished third in 34:53.
Rose Chepchumba won the senior women’s 8km race in 26:47. In second place was a sister to Leah Malot, Susan Kirui who was timed at 27:04, and Pauline Keru from West Pokot was third in 27:19.
An upcoming runner Alphine Tuliamuk of West Pokot won the junior women 6km race in 19:21, while second position went to Beatrice Kibor of Marakwet in 19:36.
The championship is held as a trial from which to pick a team to represent the region in the national cross country championships in Nairobi next weekend.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Results
Men 4km
1. Isaac Songok (keiyo) 10:46
2. Bernard Kaptingei (keiyo) 10:52
3. Leonard Naibei (U/Gishu) 10:55
4. John Yego (N/Nandi) 10:56
5. Silas Kirui (N/Nandi) 10:57
6. Nathan Naibei (Marakwet) 10:58
Men 12 km
1. Linus Cheruiyot (North Nandi) 34:42
2. Salim Kipsang (Keiyo) 34:48
3. William Todoo (West Pokot) 34:53
4. Elisha Birgen (North Nandi) 35:01
5. James Rotich (Keiyo) 35:07
6. James Cheruiyot North Nandi) 35:12
Men Junior 8km
Augustine Choge (Keiyo) 22:21.00
Yusuf Biwott (Keiyo) 22:42.63
Bernard Kiprop (keiyo) 22:49.14
Stanley Salil (U/Gishu) 22:54.52
Emmanuel Mutai 23:01.27
Stephen Tum (N/Nandi) 23:02.99
Women 4km
1. Beatrice Jepchumba (Marakwet) 12:45
2. Pamela Anisomuk (W/Pokot) 12:47
3. Consolata Chemtai (W/Pokot) 12:52
4. Beatrice Rutto (Marakwet) 12:53
5. Viola Kibiwott (Keiyo) 12:57
6. Margarine Limakori (W/Pokot) 12:58
Women 8km
1. Rose Chepchumba (Marakwet) 26:47
2. Susan Kirui (U/Gishu) 27:04
3. Pauline Keru (W/Pokot) 27:19
4. Zeddy Kipkorir (Marakwet) 27:22
5. Ann Jeptanui (Marakwet) 27:28
6. Roseline Korkwang (W/Pokot) 27:37
Women Junior 6km
1. Alphine Tuliamuk (W/Pokot) 19:21
2. Beatrice Kibor (Marakwet) 19:35
3. Purity Changwony (T/Nzoia) 19:37
4. Edith Chelimo (Keiyo) 19:41
5. Philis Yator (Marakwet) 19:47
6. Nelly Chepkurui (Marakwet) 19:49
