Adero Nyakisi after her narrow victory at the 2009 Ugandan National Cross Country Championships (© Daniel Senfuma)
Kapchorwa, Uganda2008 Beijing Olympics 4th placer Moses Kipsiro and Adero Nyakisi headlined the one day Ugandan Cross Country championship held Saturday (14) at the Kapchorwa Secondary School in far east Uganda.
No hurdles for Kipsiro and Kibet - men's races
Fresh from his big triumph over Tariku Bekele at the ‘27th Cross Internacional de Itálica’ - the second Spanish leg of the 2008/2009 IAAF Cross Country permit series - Kipsiro looked a clear favourite after the trio of Boniface Kiprop, Isaac Kiprop and Busienei Kipkemei all pulled out of the senior 12km race.
By 6km, the reigning Ugandan athlete of the year was almost running on his own after separating himself from the rest of the field that eventually saw him cross the finish line in 28:39.2 to retain the title he won last year at Soroti Golf Course.
Former World Mountain Running Champion Geoffrey Kusuro crossed in second position a minute later in 29:07.1 while Stephen Kiprotich finished third in 29:45.3.
World junior championship silver medallist Benjamin Kiplagat was relegated to 7th position despite producing his front running skills in the earlier stages of the race.
"I did not have much competition," Kipsiro said. "I was only encouraging Kusuro and others to increase the pace but they were not forthcoming so I left them behind after three kilometers of the course."
The junior men’s race produced the most exciting and competitive race of the day after the top ten finishers all were inside 26 minutes. Uganda’s newly discovered talent Moses Kibet crossed with 26:07.4 to beat a strong field that saw Benard Cheptach and Ronald Kiprotich finish with 26:15.7 and 26:16.0 in second and third positions respectievly.
"I anticipated stiff opposition especially in the last 200 metres so I ran with a very fast pace," Kibet said. "I tested them and found that they were not strong enough so I pushed harder and ran almost alone upfront towards the finish."
Nyakisi attributes win to Kenyan Linet Masai - Women's races
On form Adero Nyakisi was unstoppable in the senior women’s catergory where she reclaimed the title she lost last year to her most fierce rival Catharine Webombesa. Just after 3km, it was hard to separate the trio of Nyakisi, Webombesa and Jane Suuto, a double winner of the annual MTN Kampala Marathon. Nyakisi’s increased pace at half mark was only replied to by Suuto with whom they ran toe to toe until the former’s sprinting capability saw her reach home in 31:11.3 compared to Suuto’s 31:12.3.
"This was a sweet revenge after finishing 2nd last year to last year's champion Webombesa," Nyakisi said. "I prepared very well in Kenya for one month. I was focused and knew I was going to face strong opponents. I attribute this win to Kenyan champion Linet Masai who gave me all the tips to win this race."
"The win is a good boost for me as I now focus on qualifying for the World Championships,” Nyakisi added.
The junior women’s race produced a surprise as Juliet Chekwel overcame favourite Viola Chemos to claim the title. Chekwel and Chemos frequently shared the lead till the last lap where Chekwel outsprinted Chemos to win in 22:32.1 while Chemos crossed in second with 22:34.7 while the third spot went to Phemmy Chekwemoi who crossed with 22:35.2.
"I expected to win by a big margin but unfortunately, my opponents were very strong.," Chekwel said. "I had to break off very fast early in the one and half kilometre to be on the safe side."
National Track and field governing body Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) will use these results to select Uganda’s team for the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships due in Amman, Jordan on March 28.
Daniel Senfuma and Namayo Mawerere for IAAF
Leading Results -
MEN (12 km):
1. Moses Kipsiro (Standard) 28:39.2
2. Geofrey Kusuro (Arua) 29:07.1
3. Kiprotich Stephen (Standard) 29:45.3
4. Kiprono Nicholas (Arua) 29:47.1
5. Kibet James (Standard) 29:59.1
6. Siwa Ben (Standard) 30:14.6
7. Benjamin Kiplagat (Standard) 30:24.5
Junior MEN (8 km):
1. Moses Kibet (Standard) 26:07.4
2. Cheptach Benard (Standard) 26:15.7
3. Kiprotich Ronald (Standard) 26:16.0
4. Toroitich Timothy (Standard) 26:17.5
5. Ayieko Thomas (Standard) 26:20.1
6. Mutai Solomon (Arua) 26:27.0
WOMEN (8 km):
1. Adero Nyakisi (Prisons) 31:11.3
2. Jane Suuto (Arua) 31:12.3
3. Chelengat Annet (UPDF) 31:52.4
4. Webombesa Catherine (UPDF) 32:10.5
5. Chemusto Irene (Prisons ) 32:27.1
6. Chebet Mercy (Gombe SS) 32:32.2
Junior WOMEN (6 km):
1. Juliet Chekwel (Standard) 22:32.1
2. Viola Chemos (Arua) 22:34.7
3. Phemmy Chekwemoi ( Standard) 22:35.2
4. Annet Negesa (Standard) 22:42.6
5. Jackline Cheruto (Arua) 23:14.2
6. Rebecca Cheptegei (UPDF) 23:48.4
