Machoka, Omosa wins Nyanza South cross country title

Paul Machoka is the new Nyanza South Athletics Kenya region senior men's 10km cross country champion.

Machoka led from gun to tape to emerge the winner during the championships held at Tendere Sports Ground in Kisii County.

The 25-year-old athlete who trains in Keroka clocked 29:31.05 to win his first-ever regional title. He beat Richard Atuya to second place. Atuya crossed the finishing line in 29:31.02 while Titus Mogusu of Jenga Talanta Athletics Club completed the podium finish. He clocked 29:41.08.

Experienced road racers Dennis Moronge (30:05.04) and Italy-based Dickson Simba (30:15.06) to fourth and fifth respectively while Joel Moturi (30:26.08) picked the last ticket to the national championships.

The national championships will be held at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru on January 21.

Pre-race favourite, Italy-based Teresia Omosa, easily won the senior women’s 10km race. She finished in 35:15.27, ahead of Lorna Nyabochoa (36:33.73) and Dolphin Nyagaka (37:12.38).

Millicent Nyaberi (38:08.37) came home fifth and will be at the national championships by Agnetta Nyabuti (39:07.80) sixth.

East Africa secondary schools 1, 500m champion Mary Nyaboke of St Peter’s Keberesi secondary won the girls' 6km race in 20:27.90, followed by compatriot Dorca Isoe in 21:14.11 and Christine Otuke ( 22:08.57 ).

Andrew Kiptoo, also a student at St Peter’s Keberesi, blew apart a strong field of 36 athletes to win the junior men’s 8km race. Kiptoo a Form Three student clocked 23:66.06 ahead of Vincent Mutai ( 24:02.02 ) and  Job Kamonde ( 24:25.00).

Pre-race favourite Felix Boera was relegated to fourth in 24:25.06.