A portrait of Paul Koech back in 1998 (© Getty Images)
Paul Koech, the IAAF World Cross Championships silver medallist in 1998 in Marrakech, commenced his athletics season with a resounding victory in the fifth and penultimate race of Athletics Kenya cross country weekend meeting today in Sotik, some 350km west of Nairobi on a hot and humid day.
Koech outsprinted a star studded field that included former 5000 metres World champion Richard Limo and season's track sensation Abraham Chebii with 2 kilometres to go and went on to win with a decisive 200 metres gap.
But it was Chebii who drew first blood by taking the lead with Daniel Rono, Limo and William Chebon running in a one line formation. However, on the last of the six laps Koech emerged from the shadow of the leaders and slowly closed the gap and then started pulling away to win the 12km race in 33 minutes 48.61 seconds, followed by Limo (34:56.68) and Chebon (34:13.78).
Chebii was a distant fourth but happy to have fully recovered from an automobile accident shortly before the Paris World Championships and in the process denied him a chance to prove to the world he was indeed the best of the season.
Koech, second in the Kenya nationals and fifth at the World Cross Country Championships this year said he has started his programme looking forward for another crack at the World title which has eluded him since he bounced into the centre stage in 1996.
Limo, fourth at the 2003 World Championships, was happy with the results. "After a long and tiring season, I had to take a break and I am happy to be back in action ahead of the world championships," said Limo.
It was another fruitless outing for former 10,000m World champion Charles Kamathi after he was relegated to third position by his lesser known team mate Elkhana Angwenyi despite doing most of the donkey work for 4km.
Kamathi had chosen the short course race to build up on his speed before the usually competitive Prisons championships ahead of the nationals. He is still not sure whether to compete in the long or the short course during the nationals.
The victor clocked 10:37.32. Cyrus Kataron finished second in 10:37.99 and Kamathi 10:40.96 in third place.
Pamela Anisonuk of Kericho beat her team mate Pamela Kipchoge to clinch the women's short course race in 12:13.15 while Kipchoge clocked 12:58.81 seconds.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for IAAF
Leading results
Senior men 12km
1. Paul Koech (Kahawa) 33:48.61
2. Richard Limo (Global) 34:56.68
3. William Chebon (Airforce) 34:13.78
4. Abraham Chebii (Individual) 34:23.44
5. David Chepserit (Kahawa) 34:25.03
6. Daniel Kirui (Nairobi) 34:44.06
Men 4km
1. Elkana Angwenyi (Police) 10:37.32
2. Cyrus Kataron (Global) 10:37.99
3. Charles Kamathi (Police) 10:40.96
4. Maasai Kipkemoi (Lanet) 10:41.54
5. Michael Ndhiwa (Navy) 10:43.78
6. Bernard Chepkok (Global) 10:45.92
Junior men 8km
1. Edwin Soi (Kericho) 22:29.81
2. Kibet Yegon (Sotik) 22:31.0
3. Dennis Kipkurui (Ngong) 22:37.72
4. Henry Sugut (Global) 22:40.34
5. Peter Kibet (Individual) 22:59.03
6. Daniel Kemboi (Kaptagat) 23:05.57
Senior women 8km
1. Alice Chelangat (Kericho) 25:52.64
2. Priscah Cherotich (Kapyego) 26:17.35
3. Pauline Chepngeno (Kericho ) 26:32.36
4. Susan Muthoni (Isiolo) 26:50.09
5. Caroline Cheptanui (Kericho) 26:54.99
6. Rebecca Chesang (Kapyego) 27:01.89
Senior women 4km
1. Pamela Anisomuk (Kericho) 12:35.15
2. Pamela Kipchoge (Kericho) 12:58.81
3. Beatrice Rutto (Kapyego) 13:00.60
4. Monica Otwori (Armed Forces) 13:13.70
5. Colleta Jepchirchi (Individual) 13:22.40
6. Isabella Mokeira (Prison) 13.40.06
Junior women 6km
1. Jebichi Yator (Fila) 19:13.3
2. Zeddy Cheboi (Kabyego) 19:13.6
3. Emmy Chepkirui (Sigowet) 19:28.2
4. Sheila Chapkirui (Sigowet) 20:21.3
5. Tabitha Chepkemoi 20:26.6
6. Philis Mureithi 20:28.4.
