Kenyan Peter Kamais wins in Torres Vedras (© Marcelino Almeida)
Nairobi, KenyaBelow is a roundup of some of the district and provincial Cross Country championships held in Kenya on Saturday (7).
- Nairobi Province West District -
Nairobi, Kenya - Isaac Macharia, second in last year's Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, easily out-lasted the opposition in the Nairobi Province West District Cross Country Championships at Aga Khan High School.
Though he is the secretary of Athletics Kenya Nairobi West District, Macharia decided to lead by example by entering in this race bringing together 50 athletes from the slums of this area and acted as a motivation to hundreds of students who turned up to cheer the contestants.
The course snaking around the play field complex had some hilly sections which Macharia conquered with ease to post 34 minutes 31 seconds in the 12km race.
"As I plan to run possibly in London Marathon, this event was part of my build -up as well as motivational to many young people of Nairobi who do not have a strong running culture," said Macharia.
He was followed home by Evans Mayoyo in 34:53 and Josphat Wachira (35:07).
Lydia Wanjiku won the women's 8km category in 29:39 followed by Nelly Komen in 29:40 in a close finish. In third place was Beth Wanjiru (35:18).
In Embakasi, Dickson Kimutai won the Nairobi East championships in 34:20 cheered by a record 3,000 children from this yet other poor settlement. Philip Yego was second in 34:21 and was followed by Denis Komu in 34:40.
Doreen Kitaka won the women's 8k category on this dusty course in 27:40 with Prisila Muthoni coming in second in 30:41. Third placed Virginia Ndirangu clocked 31:04.
- Keiyo District -
Iten, Kenya - Peter Kosgei outlasted William Tarus and former World Cross Country Championships silver medalist Isaac Songok in the highly explosive Keiyo District Cross Country Championships held in Iten, 31km north of Eldoret, head of the provincials this Saturday.
Kosgei emerged from the final lap ahead of 50 athletes who included Songok who confirmed that he is coming out of an injury to clock 34 minutes 51.9 seconds with William Tarus a close second in 34:55.8. Samson Kiplimo was third in 35:12.0 as Songok ended in sixth (35:41.0).
Sarah Kiptoo was by far the outright winner in the senior women's race after posting 26:59.2, well ahead of second placed Naomi Kemboi (27:34.9) and marathon ace Hellen Kimutai (27:35.5).
- Wareng District -
Eldoret, Kenya - Junior athletes were the toast of the day led by former World Junior Cross Country silver medalist Jebichi Yator who won the senior women’s race of the Wareng District Championships at Wareng Secondary School in Eldoret town on Saturday.
Despite relatively weak opposition, Yator ran a solo race as fast as she could and went on win in 28:44.6, followed by Peris Chumba took the second position in 29:01.8 and Rwandese Angeline Nyiransabimana (29:54.5).
International Peter Kamais won the 12km men’s race ahead of 55 participants in posting 34:43.2. He was followed by John Sambul in 35:04.8 and Daniel Rono who clocked 35:41.8.
Samson Tuwei, produced a fast kick to win the junior men’s race to finish ahead of his closest rival Christopher Cheruiyot by posting 23:49.7. Cheruiyot clocked 23:58.3 with Rogers Kipkoech in third (24:11.9)
- Mombasa District -
Mombasa, Kenya - At sea level Mombasa on the shores of the Indian Ocean, Paul Kipchumba won the Mombasa District Championships at Shanzu in not very impressive time of 44 minutes 58.1 seconds partly because of the high humidity and offensive heat that was a replica of conditions witnessed in the 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships here.
However conditions are expected to be more bearable next Saturday during the provincials in mainland Kwale. Gladys Mueni won the women's senior race in 29:37.99, followed by Purity Kanjeni (31:28.17), Anne Kipchumba (32:08.95) and Martha Chibet (39:11.17) Francis Salash and Josephat Masiba finished in that order in 22:32.74 and 22:57.58 in the junior men’s race. Titus Munyao and Nzolo Mutuku triumphed in the junior men’s race after clocking 23:17.19 and 23:49.49.
In the 6km women’s race, Beth Ndungu and Immaculate Mutua timed 24:52.81 and 26:32.45 respectively.
Peter Njenga for the IAAF
Selected Results of Provincial/District Championships
Keiyo District Cross Country Championships, Iten –
Senior MEN (12 km):
1. Peter Kosgei, 34:51.9
2. William Tarus, 34:55.8
3. Samson Kiplimo, 35:12.0
Junior MEN (8 km):
1. Stephen Kiprotich, 22:56.2
2. Isaac Songok, 23:06.5
3. Seyyid Kiptum, 23:07.7
Senior WOMEN (8 km):
1. Sarah Kiptoo, 26:59.2
2. Naomi Kemboi, 27:34.9
3. Hellen Kimutai, 27:35.5
Junior WOMEN (6 km):
1. Daisy Kimeli, 20:30.1
2. Janet Ngeno, 20:37.5
3. Eunice Chebichi, 20:42.8
