News30 Oct 2005


Korir gets Kenyan season off to a flying start – AK Cross Country, Race One

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John Cheruiyot Korir in Meru (© Omulo Okoth)

Former national crosscountry champion John Cheruiyot Korir beat 102 runners to win the senior men's 12km race as the Athletics Kenya’s annual cross country series got underway for the 2005/06 season on Saturday (29) at the Kenyan Methodist University in Meru, some 400km north-east of Nairobi.

Korir broke from the group at half-way stage and won in 33:01, ahead of second-placed Edwin Koech, who timed 34:12. Fares Irungu was third in 34:25.

"I am back in full force and I hope to make good progress in the cross-country and track events," said Korir, who is one of Kenya's best 10,000m runners.

The event was run against the backdrop of the Mt Kenya and in sunny conditions on a course which combined hilly and muddy sections and zigzags. Participants agreed that it was a tough course.

Veteran middle distance runner Naomi Mugo was beaten into second place in the women's senior 8km race by Magdaline Syombua, who crossed the line in 26:08. Mugo timed 26:23. The race featured seven participants. In third place was Emma Muthoni in 26:41.

Susan Nyaboke won the senior women's short course race in 13:22, followed by Leah Mulei in 13:32 but the race also attracted only seven runners.

Joseph Kifuria beat 61 competitors in the senior men's short course race in 10:19 while Sammy Macharia recorded 22:36 to beat 78 starters in the junior men's 8km race.

Athletics Kenya officials, led by Hon. Secretary General, David Okeyo, Treasurer, Joseph Kinyua, and national coach, Danson Muchoki, watched as the cross country series began. This season the series will take place concurrently with track and field weekend meetings which are being staged ahead of the Commonwealth Games to be held in Melbourne, Australia, in March.

Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF


Leading results:

MEN:

12km
1. John Korir (33:01)
2. Edwin Koech (34:12)
3. Fares Irungu (34:25)
4km
1. Joseph Kifuria (10:19)
2. Elijah Kibwalei (10:26)
3. Gideon Gathimba (10:44)

Junior 8km
1. Sammy Macharia (22:36)
2. Daniel Muriuki (23:40)
3. Kosgei Gitonga (24:13)


WOMEN

8km
1. Magdaline Syombua (26:08)
2. Naomi Mugo (26:23)
3. Emma Muthoni (26:41)

4km
1. Susan Nyaboke (13:22)
2. Leah Mulei (13:32)
3. Annette Mwanzi (13:33)

Junior 6km
1. Helen Cherono (24:49)
2. Irene Githara (27:39)
3. Florence Chemotwo (28:23)

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