Joseph Koech and Sheila Nyambura won the senior men and women’s 10km races during the Nyanza South cross-country meeting at Kiendege secondary in Nyamira County yesterday.
Koech, the reigning Kisii Half Marathon champion, surged forward in the last two kilometres to beat Sammy Nyokaye, who led in the opening two kilometres. Koech, running for Keroka Athletics Camp, clocked 28:39.65 ahead of Nyokaye, who was timed at 28:45.18. Daniel Kayiok placed third in 29:00.53. “The weather was good but the course was a little bit difficult. I’m happy with the win because I improved on my time,” said Koech. Nyokaye, who trains at Mochenwa, was gracious in defeat.
“I did my best. Koech was stronger than me today. It was his day,” said Nyokaye, who is the Mully Half Marathon defending champion. Dennis Koech (29:11.2), Duncan Manyara ( 29:34.26) and George Achuka (29:43.91) followed in that order. In the women’s category, Nyambura, 19, eased to victory in 33:16.50, beating favourite Teresia Omosa to second place in 33:25.48. Beatrice Begi
placed third after clocking 33:30.59. Lorna Nyabochoa (33:38.53), Mercy Ondieki ( 33:45.25) and Christine Oigo (33:46.09) took fourth fifth and sixth slots respectively.
In an interview, Nyambura, who trains at Elun in Ogembo, said: “Running from behind until the last kilometre when I kicked was a strategy. I will be seeking to make the Team Kenya for Africa cross country next month.”
In the junior 8km men’s race, Japan-based Benuel Mogeni led from gun to tape, timing 23:38.90. Dancun Kipsaisa was second in 23:45.37 while John Morang’a took third spot in 23:52.34. East African Secondary Schools 3,000m and 5, 000m champion, Dolphine Omare clocked 18:35.73 to win the 6km junior women’s race ahead of Jane Nyaboke (18:36.37) and Maria Paricela (19:23.66).