World Under-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi is looking to bow out of the junior ranks with a World Cross Country Championship medal during the global show set for January 10 next year in Florida, USA.
The 18-year-old has made it clear that nothing short of a podium finish will satisfy his farewell to the U-20 category. Alamisi was speaking after his third-place finish in the third leg of the Athletics Kenya Cross Country meeting in Kapsokwony over the weekend, where he clocked 24:11. He trailed Emmanuel Kiprono, who took the win in 24:02, and Edwin Elkana (24:06).
After the race, Alamisi revealed that he was making his final appearance in the U-20 category. “This will be my last event in the U20 category," Alamisi said.
The 18-year-old hopes to end his stay in the U-20 with a global medal in the U-20 category. "I want to close this chapter with a World Cross medal before moving up to the senior ranks," he added. Reflecting on the race, Alamisi noted that he needs to sharpen his speed as he bids to make Team Kenya to Florida.
"It was not an easy race, but the course was perfect for testing my training. I will need to work on my speed to boost my chances of making Team Kenya,” he added. Though still a junior, Alamisi has already tested the waters in a senior company this season. On April 26, he finished second at the Adizero Road to Records 5km in 13:03 behind Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha (12:54).
He also posted impressive performances in Europe, finishing second in Zagreb (13:03.30), winning in Rovereto, Italy (13:16.90), and placing 11th at the Stockholm Diamond League (13:29.07).
Meanwhile, in the men’s senior 10km, 2019 African 5,000m champion Robert Kiprop edged out Naibei Kiplimo in a dramatic finish that offered a psychological boost ahead of their anticipated rematch at the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships on November 3.
The race turned controversial when Naibei, misdirected by route markers, sprinted ahead and crossed the line first, celebrating prematurely. Kiprop, who was preparing for his trademark finishing celebration, was visibly agitated. Order was later restored, with Kiprop declared the rightful winner in 29:50, while Naibei settled for second in the same time. Peter Tuitoek Kibenei rounded off the podium in 29:56.
“I have assessed my body and seen I have the needed endurance, but I need to work on my speed because I was left behind during the first lap," Kiprop said.
"However, I managed to recover in the third loop and controlled the race, which worked in my favour. I was upset with the officiating, but I am okay now after they resolved the matter,” he added. In the senior women’s 10km, Qatar’s Maryam Lufti Njoki, competing as a guest athlete, crossed first in 33:49 as part of her preparations for international duty.
Kenyan Miriam Chebet, however, was declared the official winner after finishing in 33:51, followed by Christine Ntambi Kioko (35:01) and Dorcas Tarus (35:14). In the women’s U20 6km, Central Rift’s Joyline Chepkemoi stormed to victory in 20:29, holding off Western’s Venenza Chebet (20:33) and North Rift’s Lonah Cherono (20:36). The AK Cross Country Series now shifts to Kericon on September 24
