Leonard Komon (KEN) - seen here (bib 164) on his way to 4th in the junior race at the 2007 World XC in Mombasa (© Getty Images)
Kenya's new cross country sensation Sammy Kitwara and Musyoka Musyoki joined the Sh200,000 KCB Athletics Kenya Cross Country series Jackpot race when they bagged their second victories in the series on Saturday (17).
Athletes must win three times including at the National Championships to qualify for at least a share of the Jackpot.
Kitwara, who won the first race of the series in Nairobi two weeks ago, again took off from the midrace point to win the senior men's 12km race in 34:25, beating Leonard Komon, who was fourth in the junior race at the last World Cross Country Champs in Mombasa, into second place. Komon was timed in 34:54 with David Ngetich completing the podium placing in 35:13.
Musyoki, 17, who won the first junior race two weeks ago, dashed to victory in the junior men's race in 22:42 and was followed home by Jonathan Muiya, fifth in Nairobi in the first meeting of the series (3 Nov) in 22:43.
Bernard Mureithi, seventh in that Nairobi outing, moved up to third place in Meru.
The well-attended meeting held in this agricultural heartland on the slopes of Mount Kenya, 300km east of Nairobi, was run on a slippery course inside the grounds of the Methodist University College, following overnight rains that pounded the area.
Wambua Munyaga, who was second in Nairobi two weeks ago, took advantage of the absence of Mercy Cherono, who won both the Nairobi and Kericho (10 Nov) editions, to win the junior women's race in 19:40. Kamene Muya, third in Nairobi, was second and Grace Nyakweya, sixth in Nairobi, was third.
In the senior women's race, Magdalene Syombua won in 26:21 ahead of Hellen Msembi and Jane Mwikali. Millicent Gathoni, third in Nairobi, was fourth in 26:54.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
Leading Results
Junior Women's 6km
1. Wambua Munyaga 19:40
2. Kamene Muya 20:22
3. Grace Nyamweya 20:50
4. Rosemary Mbura 21:14
5. Christine Kambi 22:09
Junior Men's 8km
1. Musyoka Musyoki 22:42
2. Jonathan Muia 22:43
3. Bernard Mureithi 22:47
4. Patrick Muoka 23:15
5. Mwanzia Musyoka 23:17
Senior Women's 8km
1. Magdalene Syombua 26:21
2. Hellen Musembi 26:40
3. Jane Mureithi 26:47
4. Millicent Gathoni 26:54
5. Dorothy Karimi 27:14
Senior Men's 12km
1. Sammy Kitwara 34:25
2. Leonard Komol 34:54
3. David Ngetich 35:13
4. Samuel Kamau 35:24
5. Samuel Karanja 35:33
