Asbel Kiprop of Kenya wins the junior men's race (© Kirby Lee)
Nairobi, KenyaAthletics action in Kenya hit a notch higher this weekend with three regional Cross Country meetings held in Eldoret, Kericho and Kisii, which were some of the worst hit areas in the post election violence last month.
Next week, action peaks higher ahead of the March 1 national championships cum trials in the capital for the Edinburgh World Cross Country Championships.
In Eldoret, home of most Kenyan runners, it was back to business for many athletes who turned up for the usually explosive and unpredictable North Rift Provincial championships at the IOC/IAAF High Performance Centre, 9km east of the city.
Bearing in mind the Commonwealth Champion (5000m) Augustine Choge and Cross Country veteran Isaac Songok were in attendance, but both bowed out of the race at various stages leaving the front runners to fight it out until the end.
Minus most senior athletes, juniors who emerged last year took the pride of place with Asbel Kiprop, the junior World Cross champion and fourth at last year's Worlds in the 1500m, who continued from where he left last year in Mombasa where he was crowned champion.
The 12km main race developed into a two horse contest especially in the closing stages between Kiprop and Hosea Macharinyang (fourth in Mombasa at the senior men's race) of which the junior runner prevailed in 36 minutes, 46.9 seconds.
Macharinyang came a close second in 36:49.6 and was followed by Nathan Naibei (36:56.7).
Kiprop however was not categorical of whether he would compete in the nationals or not, a decision he might be compelled to take soon as Kenya's preparations for the World Championships have not ticked to standard after the programme was shelved last December after the Kisii round of weekend meetings.
Unlike the senior men's race, the women's event brought together a fairly new outfit with the winner, Flomena Cheiyech from West Pokot, outlasting a late surge from Jane Kiptoo, a former high school long sprint champion to win in 26:51.0. Kiptoo lost steam towards the end to finish in 27:14.9 as Eunice Kirwa took third in 27:45.2.
Former World Cross Country junior champion Rose Cheruiyot finished fifth followed by veteran Leah Malot who is now in her 21st year at the highest level of competition.
World Youth 3000m silver medalist Lucas Rotich won the junior men's race in 23:30.5 ahead of Charles Kibet (23:38.8) and Bernard Koech ( 23:54.9).
Gun-to-tape for Patrick Lagat in Sotik
Sotik, Kericho - In Sotik, near the high altitude area of Kericho, Patrick Lagat led from gun to tape to claim the win in the men's title in the 12km race held at Club 181 in Sotik.
Lagat clocked 37:19.57 in yet another bruising final metres race to edge out Cheruiyot Kirui (37:30.50) and Hillary Bii (37:30.88).
Emily Chebet easily won the women's 8km race after gradually developing a huge gap ahead of Priscah Chepkorir to stop the clock in 28:53.00. Chepkorir posted 29:26.6.
Home girl Jackline Chebii won the junior women's race in 20:57.96 and gave locals a feeling of pride as team mate Winnie Cheptoo, who was timed at 21:04.23, made it 1-2.
Siekei the winner in Nyamira
Nyamira, Kisii - Japan-based Jefferson Siekei won the Nyakongo Open Cross Country Championships which formed part of qualification races for Nyanza South Provincial Championships at Nyakongo High School on a hot morning in Nyamira near Kisii in western Kenya.
Siekei, winner of the 2006 Nyanza South Provincials demolished the men's field to clock 34:36.12.
Siekei is looking forward to defending his title and possibly reaching the nationals with his main target being the world championships. Dicklack Omare was second in 35:20.90 with George Morara coming in third in 35:54.09.
Peter Njenga for the IAAF
Select Results:
North Rift Provincial championships - Eldoret
Senior MEN (12 km):
1. Asbel Kiprop, 36:46.9
2. Hosea Macharinyang, 36:49.6,
3. Joseph Kitur, 36:53.9
4. Nathan Naibei, 36:56.7
5. Peter Kamais 36:57.1
Senior WOMEN (8 km):
1. Flomena Cheiyech, 26:51.0
2. Jane Kiptoo (Baringo) 27:14.9
3. Eunice Kirwa, 27:45.2
4. Emily Biwott (Marakwet) 27:54.5
5. Rose Kosgei, 28:01.7,
6. Leah Malot, 28:08.2
Junior MEN (8 km):
1. Lucas Rotich, 23:30.5
2. Charles Chebet , 23:38.8
3. Bernard Koech, 23:54.9
4. Stephen Kosgei, 23:56.7
5. Hosea Kosgei, 24:03.4
6. Gilbert Maina, 24:06.3
Junior WOMEN (6 km):
1. Delvin Cmerng'or ,19:42.8
2. Chebet Cheptai, 19:59.7
3. Dorcas Chepchirchir, 20:11.9
4. Jane Kiara, 20:30.1,
5. Brigid Chepchirchir (Marakwet), 20:35.3
6. Naomi Limamuroi, 20:38.1
7. Stacy Ndiwa , 20:40.8
Sotik, Kericho –
Senior MEN (12 km):
1. Patrick Lagat, 37:19.19.5
2. Charuiyot Kirui, 37:30.5
3. Hilalry Bii, 37:30.8
4. Johnstone Chepkwony, 37:44.8
5. Zablon Rotich, 37:49.9
6. Festus Langat, 37:54.2
Junior MEN (8 km):
1. Edwin Kipkorir, 24:17.5
2. Kirui Chesang, 24:19.2
3. Leonard Langat, 24:43.8
4. Richard Bett, 24:47.7
5. David Bett, 24:55.9
6. Philip Kosgei, 25:04.0
Senior WOMEN (8 km):
1. Emily Chebet, 28:53.0
2. Prisca Chepkorir, 29:26.0
3. Jackline Chebwogen, 30:01.2
4. Emily Chepkurui, 30:32.8
5. Jesca Chepkwmoi, 30:48.9
6. Tecla Chelangat, 31:07.3
Junior WOMEN (6 km):
1. Jacline Chebii, 20:57.9
2. Winnie Cheptoo, 21:04.2
3. Viola Chepngetich, 21:14.5
4. Purity Cherotich, 21:15.8
5. Jackline Chelagat, 21:30.9
Nyamira, Kisii –
Senior MEN (12 km):
1. Jefferson Siekei, 34:36.15
2. Dicklack Omare, 35:20.90
3. George Morara, 35:54.09
4. Boaz Mayaka, 36:00.01
5. Moses Orenge, 36:24.97
6. Daniel Manyara, 36:49.1
Junior MEN:
1. Isiah Ondieki, 27:1717.44
2. Patrick Nyambane, 27:27.50
3. David Oroko, 28:00.02
4. Fred Bariso, 28:05.83
5. Christopher Machira, 28:20.0
6. Geoffrey Bundi, 28:27.77
Senior WOMEN:
1. Violet Mayaka, 34:40.57
2. Hyline Mongare, 36:00.93
3. Edinah Onkware, 36:11.72
4. Winfred Motua, 37:09.00
Junior WOMEN:
1. Monica Obiero, 19:24.21
2. Damaris Areba, 20:00.31
3. Faith Mwancha, 20:21.05
4. Grace Gichana, 21:15.12
5. Yunes Onyancha, 21:35.42
6. Alice Omoro, 21:41.08
