Hosea Macharinyang on his way to victory in 2009 Wareng Turskys Cross Country (© David Macharia)
Former national cross country champion Hosea Macharinyang returned to competition limelight by winning the fourth edition of the Wareng Turskys Cross Country (Sat 28) and said the achievement was enough evidence that he had fully recovered from an appendix operation.
Macharinyang, national champion in 2006 and 5th in the 2007 World Cross Country Championships said “I did not expect to win today because I have only trained for four months after undergoing an operation early this year.”
His finish was an improvement from third position last year. He clocked 34:16.3 to beat Berlin World Championships 5000m finalist Joseph Ebuya who he overtook with 200m to go when the race win appeared set for the latter. Ebuya’s time was 34:17.7. Third place went to James Kipketer in 34:39.4.
Pamela Lisoreng, 8th at junior level at the 2006 World Cross Country in Fukuoka, Japan won the senior women race in 25:30.7 after taking control of the race at half way. Linet Chepkirui, 4th in Amman, Jordan in this year’s World Cross, was second in 25:46.4, while Monica Jepkoech was third in 25:52.6.
World Youth stars dominated the field in the junior ranks. Ostrava World Youth 3000m champion Daniel Salel had an easy time winning the 8km junior men event in 22:48.0 after beating Uganda’s Moses Kibet to second place. Kibet clocked 22:54.9. Peter Kosgei was third in 22:59.5.
Bressanone World Youth girls’ 3000m champion Purity Cherotich carried the day in the junior women event in 19:11.8, 15 seconds ahead of Winny Cheokemboi. Third was World 1500m Youth champion Nelly Chebet who clocked 19:37.3. Joseph Ebuya’s sister Alice Aprot was fourth in 19:47.3. Jackline Chebii, 4th at the Africa Junior championships in Mauritius was 6th in 20:09.8 after losing a fifth place battle to Eunice Chebichi with a kilometre to go. Chebichi clocked 20:01.8.
David Macharia (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
Results
Senior Men
1.Hosea Macharinyang 34:16.3
2.Joseph Ebuya 34:17.7
3.James Kipketer 34:39.4
4. Bernard Koech 34:52.9
5. Lucas Rotich 35:04.4
6. Wilfred Targon 35:05.1
Senior women
1.Pamela Lisoreng 25:30.7
2.Linet Chepkirui 25:46.4
3.Monica Jepkoech 25:52.6
4.Edna Kiplagat 25:23.0
5.Hellen Kirop 25:54.2
6.Consolata Jemutai 26:01.8.
Junior men
1.Daniel Salel 22:48.0
2.Moses Kibet (Uganda) 22:54.9
3.Peter Kosgei 22:59.5
4.Japheth Korir 23:01.2
5.Clement Lagat 23:02.4
6.Abraham Bertum 23:04.2
Junior women
1.Purity Cherotich 19:11.8
2.Winny Chepkemboi 19:26.8
3.Nelly Chebet 19:37.3
4.Alice Aprot 19:47.3
5.Eunice Chebichi 20:01.8
6.Jackline Chebii 20:09.8
