Reigning Africa under 20 5,000m silver medalist, Jacob Krop, says he hopes to land selection to the inaugural World Cross Country Tour slated for next year in Eldoret.
Krop, who was part of Team Kenya to the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019, said he will battle for a slot at the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Tour to be held at the Lobo grounds in Kesses, Eldoret.
Speaking after dashing away with the title during the 4th leg of Athletics Kenya Cross country championships at Kapsokwony in Mount Elgon on Saturday, the West Pokot-based runner said his sublime performance had made him believe in his prowess on the surface, despite not having competed for much in previous cross country meetings.
“My target now is to earn Kenya’s slot at the World Cross Country Tour. Being the hosts this time around, making Team Kenya will bear a lot of significance for me,” said Krop whose forte is the 5,000m race.
At Kapsokwony, Krop edged Samuel Kibet and Africa Under-20 5,000m bronze medalist Reuben Longosiwa to the title.
He clocked 30:26.81 on his way to glory, followed by Kibet in 31:03.35 with Longosiwa wrapping up the podium in 31:19.70.
Krop said he cruised to victory with unexpected ease after some of the big names gave the race a wide berth.
“This was one of the easiest races for me. I had prepared for a top-notch competition but that did not happen. I ran against athletes that were easily beatable. That's why I won with a big margin,” said Krop.
He added that his focus now will be to run in another cross country to ensure that he gets the nod from selectors for the World Cross country Tour.
In the women’s race, Ednah Jebitok was the victor taking the 10km title in 34:01.91 ahead of Nelly Jeptoo (34:16.59).
Selected results
Under 18 5km women
- Sharon Chepng’etich- 18:02:77
- Faith Simotwo- 18:20:22
- Lina Bungei- 18:31:22
- Brenda Chepchirchir -18:44:64
- Rhoda Bunyasi- 18:51:75
Under 18 6km men
- Charles Rotich- 18:35:27
- Simon Maywo- 18:57:53
- Dominic Kiptoo- 19:09:56
- Kibet Ndiwa- 19:12:77
- Yonah Belio- 19:23:75
6km junior women
- Edna Jebitok- 21:05:85
- Deborah Chemtai- 21:13:26
- Grace Loibach- 21:32:96
- Zena Jeptoo 21:40:93
- Irene Chepketer- 21:45:81
8km junior men
- Brian Kiptoo- 24:56:40
- Dismas Yego- 25:09:73
- Timothy Kibet- 25:18:49
- Daniel Kimaiyo- 25:17:38
- Felix Kibet- 25:27:58
10km senior women
- Ednah Cheptok- 34:01:91
- Nelly Jeptoo- 35:16:59
- Alice Aprot- 35:41:10
- Loice Chemining- 35:54:99
- Josephine Chelang’at- 36:05:59
10km senior men
- Jacob Krop- 30:26:81
- Samuel Kibet- 31:03:35
- Reuben Longosiwa- 31:19:70
- Edward Kibet- 31:22:10
- Collins Kipkorir- 31:25:77
