World Athletics Road Running Championships half marathon bronze medallist Catherine Reline has set her sights on a slot in Team Kenya to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Over the weekend, Reline won the ninth edition of the annual Chemususu Half Marathon title after clocking 1:12:18. Winny Kimutai (1:14:190 and Edith Chepchumba (1:15:08) were second and third respectively.
Reline, who finished third behind Peres Jepchirchir and Margaret Kipkemboi Chelimo in Riga, Latvia said she will be working a slot in the 10,000m team for the Paris Games.
"I have one more race to prepare for this year. I am scheduled to run in Brazil next month. However, my focus is on next year's Olympics where I intend to represent my country in the 10,00m race," she said.
The Kapsait-based Reline, who finished second last year, behind Daisy Cherotich, said she was not expecting to win.
"I didn't prepare well since I had taken a break after returning from Riga. I challenged myself to try the course before resuming training. It feels good to win the race," she said.
"I have one more race to prepare for in the year as I am scheduled to run in Brazil next month. However, my focus is on next year's Olympics where I intend to represent my country," she said.
Upstart Anthony Kipchirchir won the men’s title in a fierce battle towards the tail end of the race.
At just 19, Kipchirchir shocked the experienced runners to win in 1:03:35, followed by Jackson Kipleting (1:04:09) and Emmanuel Bor (1:04:36).
Kipchirchir, who finished 10th in his last race — Moi Kapsowar 10k in May — couldn't hide his joy after winning his first-ever half marathon race.
"This was my first half marathon race. I will go home a happy man. This win means a lot to me," he said.
"I trained on a hilly course in Iten so as to be among the top three athletes. My aim is to win international races and represent Kenya on the track, where I specialize in 5000m," said Kipchirchir.
He revealed he only started running after completing his O Level education at Usko Secondary School in Uasin Gishu in 2021.
Selected results
Men
Anthony Kipchirchir- 63:35
Jackson Kipleting-64:09
Emmanuel Bor-64:36
Vincent Kigen-64:40
Gilbert Kipkirui-64:43
Abel Kiplimo-64:45
Ismael Kiprono-64:58
Vincent Kipkirui-65:27
Shadrack Korir-65:33
Timothy Kibet-65:50
Women
Catherine Reline-72:18
Winny Kimutai-74:19
Edith Chepchumba-75:08
Lilian Chebii-75:20
Catherine Rieyon-75:54
Catherine Cherotich-76:05
Beatrice Begi-76:12
Visiline Murey-76:30
Beatrice Chekemoi-76:38
Josephine Chepkurui-76:42
