Wilson Kiprop on their way to winning the men's race during the fifth edition of the Tuskys Wareng cross country in Eldoret, Kenya (© David Macharia)
Eldoret, KenyaWorld Half Marathon and African 10,000m champion Wilson Kiprop and former World Cross Country champion Emily Chebet cruised to victory to become new Tuskys Wareng Cross Country champions at the event’s fifth edition on Sunday (27).
Kiprop who won the Africa crown at home last year and Wold Half in Nanning, China, did not have an easy time at the Cross Country race held under clear skies at Huruma grounds in the outskirts of Eldoret town since he had to overcome a stiff challenge from a new kid on the block, Denis Kipruto, in the senior men 12km event.
The race started on a high pace with World Cross Country participant Matthew Kisorio (fourth in Punta Umbria) and Olympic and World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop and Kisorio’s younger brother Nicholas Togom, who is also Africa junior cross country bronze medallist, among others in the lead pack. Kisorio and Asbel Kiprop dropped out after four laps.
By midway it was neck and neck for Kiprop and Kipruto with Togom closely following. With a kilometre to go Kiprop and Kipruto were able to shrug off Togom and with a half a kilometre to go Kipruto also could not keep up with the winner’s powerful kick.
The Africa champion breasted the tape in 34:51.5. Kipruto managed to hold off a last minute surge by Togom for second position in 35:01.9. Togom was third in 35:04.0.
“The weather was good and the fast pace set by some of the runners in the initial stage went well with my plan of the race,” Kiprop said.
The senior women 8km race saw the leading pack of ten remain together until the third lap when it was reduced to a battle between three - Chebet, Farida Chelagat and Georgina Rono.
It appeared Chelagat would take the race with less than one kilometre to go but Chebet fought back gallantly to win in 27:02.6. Chelagat clocked 27:05.2 for second place and Rono was third in 27:08.0.
World Athlete of the year finalist Vivian Cheruiyot was among the internationals who cheered the runners.
The Junior men 8km race saw fourth finisher in the World Cross in Punta Umbria Gideon Kipketer win in 23:22.2 ahead of Abraham Kasongor (23:26.80 and Ernest Ng’eno (23:32.1).
The junior women 6km race went to Agnes Chebet in 20:04.7. Second was Chepkorir Kipkoech in 20:17.5 and third was Cynthia Kosgei in 20:48.6.
The race sponsored by a local suprermarket chain Tuskys is the the brain child of former World Steeplechase champion Moses Kiptanui.
By David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Leading Results -
Senior men 12km
1.Wilson Kiprop 34:51.5
2.Denis Kipruto 35:01.9
3.Nicholas Togom 35:04.0
4.Linus Chumba 35:32.9
5.Charles Kimeli 35:36.7
6.Justus Mogere 35:44.2
7.Edwin Kibet 35:07.9
8.Luila Rotich 35:50.1
9.Linus Maiyo 35:54.4
10.Abraham Kapsis 35:58.9
Senior women 8km
1.Emily Chebet 27:02.6
2.Farida Chelagat 27:05.2
3.Geotgina Rono 27:08.0
4.Priscilla Lorchima 27:15.8
5.Susan Tanui 27:18.2
6.Elizabeth Rumokal 27:40.8
Junior Men 8km
1.Gideon Kipketer 23:22.2
2.Abraham Kasongor 23:26.8
3.Ernest Ngeno 23:32.1
4.Joseph Apermoi 23:40.9
5.Japhet Korir 23:50.3
6.Hillary Kipchumba 23:51.6
Junior Women 6km
1.Agnes Chebet 20:04.7
2.Chepkorir Kipkoech 20:17.5
3.Cynthia Kosgei 20:48.6
4.Chemutai Kemboi 20:50.2
5.Josephine Jepkoech 20:55.6
6.Linda Chepchirchir 20:55.8
