Emmanuel Bett clocked 28:04:04 minutes to win the senior men’s 10km category during the second Athletics Kenya cross country meeting staged in Sotik over the weekend.
Geoffrey Kimutai returned 28:0830 to finish second while Dominic Kiptarus placed third in 28:12.66. Ivyn Chepkemoi from Sigowet carried the day in the senior women’s
category after posting 31:58:47 with Caroline Chepkemoi finishing second in 32:12:14. Emily Chebet from Londiani from Londiani Athletics Club completed the podium in 32:32:49. In the junior women’s category, 2016 Africa cross junior champion, Miriam Cherop registered 18:18:97 to win the 6km race ahead of Ednah Jebitok (18:34:95) and Deborah Chemutai (18:18:97), who placed second and third respectively.
Edwin Langat emerged tops in the junior men’s 8km race after returning 22:04:19. Leonard Byegon (22:17:26) and Dominic Langat
(32:27:50) followed in the second and third positions respectively. The race attracted over 500 from the South Rift region, who braved the chilly conditions to post impressive results.
Athletes are using the series to prepare for the African Cross Country Championships set for Algeria early next year.
Meanwhile, Bomet County Government will join hands with Athletics Kenya in the fight against doping in the region, according to Bomet deputy governor Hillary Barchok.
Speaking during the second AK cross country meeting in Sotik, Barchok said to save the image of Kenya in the face of international community, there is need for all to join hands in creating awareness among the athletes on the effects of doping. “We will continue to safeguard our image and name if we only train hard and run clean,” he said.