Chepkemei battles with Kirui during the Kenya Prisons (© Omulo Okoth)
Double World Cross Country short course champion Edith Masai won the Kenyan Prisons' Cross Country short course title in Ruiru, a small town outside the Kenyan capital, today.
36 year-old Masai won the race easily in 13:20.7 from Sylvia Chebiwot, who clocked 13:36.0, and 2002 Commonwealth 10,000m champion Selina Kosgei, who was timed at 13:46.0.
Masai, who surprised the athletics world in 2001 when at 33 years of age she took bronze in the World Cross Country Championships behind Gete Wami and Paula Radcliffe has gone on to be a major player on the world scene.
In 2002 she won the World Cross short course title in Dublin, and that summer took second place behind Paula Radcliffe over 5000m at the Commonwealth Games. In 2003 she retained the World Cross title in Lausanne, and then secured the 5000m World track bronze medal in Paris last summer.
After today's win Masai was all smiles and predicted her third World gold with the succinct remark - “I will retain my title easily.”
Chepkemei romps home in long course race
World Marathon champion Catherine Ndereba's fortunes however do not look so good, as she was beaten into sixth
position in the 8km long race race, won by Susan Chepkemei, who is one of the fastest Half marathon runners of all-time.
Chepkemei, was in top shape and shot upfront after the first lap. She briefly exchanged the lead with Catherine Kirui, but eventually won clear in 26:47.5. Kirui, sister of former twice men's World 5000m champion Ismael Kirui, was second in 26:50.3.
New York City Marathon champion Margaret Okayo was
fourth in 27:51.21, behind third placed Gladys Asiba, 27:24.0. Nelly Asiba who crossed the line in fifth (27:55.1), while Ndereba was timed in 28:22.1 (sixth). Ndereba’s sister Anastasia was seventh in 28:33.1.
“I am lacking speed but I will work on it before the season enters its climax. The course was a bit slippery following heavy rains yesterday which also affected me. But I think Susan is in terrific shape,” said Ndereba.
Chepkemei said her body responded well to the conditions of the day. “I was down with injuries last season and I am happy to return this year. Watch out what happens in the season,” she said.
Koech and Njuguna are the men's winners
Edwin Koech won the men’s 4km race in 11:13.6 while Simon Njuguna won the men’s 12km race in 35:07.4. Sammy Kipruto won the 21km road race in 1:04:04 with Peris Polywo running away with the women’s half-marathon title in 1:18:34.
Leading results:
Men
4km
1 Edwin Koech 11:13.6
2 Nelson Birgen 11:21.0
3 Peter Kosgei 11:23.6
4 James Masese 11:29.6
5 Evans Kipchumba 11:37.2
12km
1 Simon Njuguna 35:07.4
2 Lucas Kibet 35:33.2
3 Philemon Simatwa 35:39.4
4 John Kiprono 36:09.6
5 Cleophas Rop 36:11.1
21km road
1 Sammy Kipruto 1:04:04
2 John Rono 1:04:05
3 John Gatio 1:04:07
4 Pius Langat 1:04:08
5 Haroun Koinange 1:05:16
Women
4km
1 Edith Masai 13:20.7
2 Sylvia Chebiwot 13:36.0
3 Selina Kosgei 13:46.0
4 Franciah Nyambura 13:51.0
5 Elvin Chepkoech 14:01.3
8km
1 Susan Chepkemei 26:47.5
2 Catherine Kirui 26:50.3
3 Gladys Asiba 27:24.0
4 Margaret Okayo 27:51.21
5 Nelly Asiba 27:55.1
21km road
1 Peris Polywo 1:18:34
2 Grace Wanjiru 1:20:13
3 Judy Kiplimo 1:20:30
