Kenya's Emily Chebet wins the women's senior cross country title in Bydgoszcz 2010 (© Getty Images)
17 November 2012 - Kisii, Kenya - Emily Chebet, the 2010 IAAF World Cross Country champion, refused to relinquish the limelight in the KCB/AK National Cross Country Series when she completed her hat-trick of victories in Kisii on Saturday (17) in another polished performance.
The in-form runner, who is now virtually assured of the series jackpot in the women’s long race, was not the only World Cross winner on show in the meet that attracted 305 entries.
Punta Umbria women’s junior champion and London Olympics runner, Faith Chepng’etich was humbled in the 6km event by newcomer Roline Chepng’etich.
Moses Mukono recaptured top honours in the men corresponding men’s 8km race after being forced down to second last weekend in Machakos.
The men’s long race saw its third different winner with Richard Sigei, a 1:01:14 half marathoner, prevailing to leave the race for the series payout wide open during the event staged at the lush lawns of Kisii Golf Club.
Chebet three-peats
Having won two close races in Nyahururu and Machakos, there was no doubt about the outcome when the Bydgoszcz gold medallist charged to the lead in the penultimate lap before wrapping up her third successive win in 29:10.6.
“The race was tough but at least I was comfortable in the end and I’m pleased that I have won my third race. This is good build-up for the Nationals and I know I cannot relax.”
“I’m pleased with my form and having tested my body in Nyahururu, Machakos and here, I can say that the injuries that bothered me are behind me,” the African Cross bronze winner in her event said and is considering skipping the fourth leg in Kapsakwony next Saturday to recharge her batteries.
Incidentally, it was the second victory for Chebet in Kisii this calendar year having won at the same course on January 12 when the event wrapped up the seven-meet 2011/12 series.
“I love competing here, like today, the weather was cool and the course is good,” she stressed.
With a $2,310 (Ksh200,000) series jackpot on offer, Chebet just needs to start the last event in Kericho in January to clinch the pay-out.
Unheralded Stacy Nagwa (29:32.0) followed the winner home to force Phenecier Jemutai (30:19.4) who was third here in January to repeat her finish as Amman World Cross 16th finisher, Delvin Meringor, who has not featured in competition for two seasons rounding off the top-four in 30:49.7.
Chepng’etich floored
The return of Faith Chepng’etich to action created the buzz around this meet and having been seemingly untouchable domestically in the women 6km event for the better part of two seasons, her bludgeoning reputation was on the line.
Chepng’etich added the World Junior track crown in Barcelona in July to her Lille World Youth title in the metric mile before she was given her Olympics debut in London where she was ninth in the 1500m heats to underline her credentials.
However, novice Roline Chepng’etich (20:51.8) gave the champion a bitter taste of what she has been dishing out to so many junior 6km fields when she out-sprinted the decorated athlete to cause the biggest upset of the day.
“Sometimes it happens but this is my first race after another tiring year and school and I’m working towards getting my shape back,” the African Cross champion who finished fourth at the Bydgoszcz World Cross before winning the top medal a year later in Spain expressed after crossing the line in 21:08.0.
Agnes Jebet (21:10.3) replayed her third finish from Nyahururu (November 3) to continue her solid season as Jessica Chelangat (22:09.8) closed the top-four.
Mukono bounces back
After winning the opener in Nyahururu, Mukono was compelled to play the bridesmaid to Peter Namuria in Machakos.
The 17-year-old returned to winning ways with yet another dominant run in the men junior 8km race in 24:12.1 with Gilbert Kirui (24:19.5), Kiprono Bett (24:29.3) and Koech Bett (24:32.6) following the winner in that order to occupy positions two to four.
In the final event of the day, Kericho based runner Sigei who ran 1:01:14 in Lille in September completed the course in 38:01.0 after charging to the lead with 10km gone.
Philip Langat (38:12.5) led the chasing pack home ahead of Edinburgh, Amman and Bydgoszcz runner, Charles Kibet who completed the podium in 38:20.0 further back.
Mutwiri Mutuota (Capital FM) for the IAAF
LEADING RESULTS
Senior men 12km
1. Richard Sigei 38:01.0
2. Philip Langat 38:12.5
3. Charles Kibet 38:20.0
4. Silas Kipchoge 38:23.0 Iten
5. Eric Langat 38:40.2
6. Cheserek Kemboi 38:46.7
7. Timothy Kiptoo 38:50.4
8. Wilson Morwabe 38:55.0
9. Shadrack Kosgei 39:05.1
10. Amos Limakori 39:11.0
Senior women 8km
1. Emily Chebet 29:10.6
2. Stacy Nagwa 29:32.0
3. Phenecier Jemutai 30:19.4
4. Delvin Merigor 30:49.7
5. Jane Murage 31:01.2
6. Irene Mongare 31:30.1
7. Margaret Gachigwa (Ind) 31:41.4
8. Jacqueline Chirchir 31:53.7
9. Geddy Mutua (KDF) 32:05.3
10. Agnes Mutua (Isi) 32:13.0
Junior men 8km
1. Moses Mukono 24:12.1
2. Gilbert Kirui 24:19.5
3. Kiprono Bett 24:29.3
4. Koech Bett 24:32.6
5. Hillary Langat 24:35.8
6. Peter Limo 24:38.0
7. Elphas Cheptek 24:43.0
8. Limo Komen 24:48.5
9. Bernard Kimani 24:56.3
10. Joesph Chacha 25:09.7
Junior women 6km
1. Roline Chepng’etich 20:51.8
2. Faith Cheng’etich 21:08.0
3. Agnes Chebet 21:10.3
4. Jessica Chelangat 22:09.8
5. Vivian Chepkemei 22:10.9
6. Joyline Chemweno 22:12.1
7. Betty Chepkemoi 22:42.5
8. Damaris Cheptoo 22:49.7
9. Edna Okeyo 22:51.5
10. Winfridah Nakesa 22:58.5
