News02 Dec 2002


Kenyans take the spoils in Alcobendas

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Enock Mitei (KEN) wins in Alcobendas, Spain. (© Julián Obispo)

Kenya's Enock Mitei, who placed ninth at this year’s World Cross Country Championships in the long race in Dublin, clinched a convincing cross country win yesterday in the 21st Cross Internacional de la Constitución.

In doing so Mitei defeated four fellow countrymen and Spain’s reigning European 10,000m champion José Manuel Martínez. Significantly, in a race which took place just seven days prior to the Europeans Cross Country Championships in Croatia, Philemon Cheruiyot was the only other African to beat Martínez who showed great form.

Immediately the race started the mighty Kenyan squad soon made it clear they were the strongest in the field. Mitei set such a hot pace that by the second kilometre only seven men remained in the leading group, which also included last year’s winner Abraham Chebii, alongside Julius Kiptoo and Daniel Gachara who was fresh from a comfortable victory in France in mid-November.

Before the halfway point Mitei and Cheruiyot picked up the pace and broke away from the main group. Such was the magnitude of their burst that within a matter of just a few strides the chasing pack had by necessity formed into crocodile file, with Chebii and Martínez responding better than Gachara and Kiptoo.      

When the leading pair went through the seventh kilometre (20.57), Martínez and the other Kenyans were eight seconds adrift with Chebii making most of the work, and shortly afterwards Gachara and Kiptoo faded back.

Before entering the last 2700m lap Mitei really put a big effort in and Cheruiyot, only beaten by Kamathi two weeks ago in Soria, could not respond. With one kilometre left 20-year-old Cheruiyot was 25m behind Mitei but himself 15m up on Martínez, who had 30m more on Chebii in fourth, and these positions held until the finish.

“I didn’t expect to win today as my pre-race favourite was Chebii,” said Mitei, who took revenge after finishing in second place to Chebii last year. “It has been a very tough race with so many ups and downs but I am happy taking my first win this season. I am running 200 kilometres weekly; my next race will be in Alicante (Spain)” confirmed a delighted Mitei.

On the women’s side it was an action replay of the recent race in Llodio, as Kenya’s Selina Kosgei achieved her second win in a row, but today’s victory was easier, as had been expected after Edith Masai’s withdrawal from the starting list.

The toughest rival for Kosgei was Poland’s Lidia Chojecka, who at 1500m was fifth at both the 2000 Olympics and 2001 World Championships, and is building up for next Sunday’s European cross country in Croatia.

From the gun, 26-year-old Kosgei set a brisk pace with a tight pack close behind. At halfway the race became a three-way fight for victory, with Kosgei and Eveline Chelagat sharing the lead and Chojecka tucked in behind them. Incidentally shortly before this, the trio had managed to break away from Cuba’s Yesenia Centeno and Spain’s María Abel (2002 Frankfurt Marathon winner five weeks ago).

With two kilometres to go Chelagat also lost ground, while Chojecka remained resistant at Kosgei’s shoulder. However, Kosgei, the Commonwealth 10,000m champion soon managed to edge ahead and by halfway around the last loop had established a five second gap, as further back a battle for third and fourth developed between Centeno and Chelagat.

In the end, Kosgei who is coached by Barnabas Kiyor, was a conclusive winner, four seconds clear of Chojecka, who confessed the distance was too long for her.

“It was a nice race and I felt very comfortable and I am so happy winning my second race within one week,” commented Kosgei. “I am building up for the Cross Country Worlds where I plan to compete in the short race but I still have to gain a place in the Kenyan team at the trials in Nairobi next February”.

Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF

Results -

Men (10,250m course)

1 Enock Mitei (Ken) 30:40
2 Philemon Cheruiyot (Ken) 30:46
3 José Manuel Martínez (Spa) 30:53
4 Abraham Chebii (Ken) 30:59
5 Julius Kiptoo (Ken) 31:03
6 Daniel Gachara (Ken) 31:09
7 Carlos Adán (Spa) 31:23
8 Mauricio Díaz (Chile) 31:25
9 Eliseo Martín (Spa) 31:28
10 Carlos Castillejo (Spa) 31:38


Women (6050m course)

1 Selina Kosgei (Ken) 20:13
2 Lidia Chojecka (Pol) 20:17
3 Yesenia Centeno (Cub) 20:35
4 Eveline Chelaga (Ken) 20:47
5 Meritxell Calduch (Spa) 20:58
6 María Abel (Spa) 21:01

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