Little-known Atuya upsets form book to lift Nyanza South title

Upcoming runner Richard Atuya upset experienced athletes to win the men’s 10km race during the Nyanza South regional cross country held on Sunday at Kiendege Secondary in Nyamira County.

Atuya, 21, beat fancied Sammy Nyokaye and Dickson Simba to second and third place respectively in a thrilling showdown under hot conditions.

Atuya clocked 27:57.58 as Nyokaye ( 28:49.21 ) and Simba ( 28:54.07) clinched the lesser of the podium places.

“It was a good race. I decided to be in the leading pack and break midway through the race. When I saw my opponents falling apart, I decided to open the gap,” said Atuya.

“My dream is to finish in the top 10 at the nationals. I know it will not be easy but I want to try. I also want to impress a manager because currently, I train alone,” he added.

As expected, Teresa Omosa grabbed the senior women’s title stopping the clock in 33:56.94 to beat compatriot Nancy Kerage ( 35:05.09) and Christine Oigo (35:14.93) to second and third places respectively.

“It was not very competitive but the weather was hot. At nationals, I’m targeting a top 20 finish,” said Omosa, who is planning to make her marathon debut in Vienna, Austria in April.

Nyamira County Sports Minister Grace Nyamongo was the chief guest during the event which was used to select 42 athletes to represent the region at the national championships scheduled for February 22 at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County.

Jane Gati emerged winner in the women’s Under 20 event.

She crossed the finishing line 19:57.09 ahead of Mirriam Chepkech (21:33.02) and Valentine Mokaya ( 23:00.08). Gati opened an unassailable lead in the penultimate round and never looked back.

In a thrilling men’s under 20 race, Philemon Kiriago clocked 22:56.96 for the win, beating race favourite Joel Moturi ( 23:30.89) as Job Kamonde (23:30.89) took the last of the podium places.

Felix Boera won the men’s under 18 6km race after leading from gun to tape. Boera destroyed a field of 36 athletes with a blistering pace winning in 16:52:97. Edwin Kisaisa was second in 16:59.93 with Andrew Kiptoo finishing third in 17:18.66.

Mary Ogwoka, a Form One student at Masongo Secondary School in Kisii, lifted the women’s 5km title after clocking 16:40:08.