• “I usually run on track but since there are no international track events until next year, I found out that I can try my best in the cross country with this race,” said Wanyonyi.
• The championships will also see the return of former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai.
Image: FILE
World under 20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi has set his focus to represent the country at the 2023 World Cross country championships set for Bathurst, Australia after national trials set for December 10 at Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru.
Wanyonyi said the introduction of the 2km race at the trials has inspired him to try his luck in Team Kenya, away from 800m specialty.
Athletics Kenya have introduced a 2km race for both the senior men and women where top performers will make the Kenyan relay team for the World Cross Country Championships set for Bathurst, Australia on February 18, 2023.
The Nandi-based runner stormed into the victory to win the 5th and last Athletics Kenya Cross country series at Iten grounds, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“I usually run on track but since there are no international track events until next year, I found out that I can try my best in the cross country with this race,” said Wanyonyi.
He added that he has been training and the 2km will give him an appetite to roar again.
“I have been training but I am not fit enough but I managed to win this race. This means if I train harder, I will have gained the needed experience to compete in Australia,” he added.
The championships will also see the return of former world cross country champion Irene Cheptai.
The Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist won the 10km senior women's race in Iten to seal her slot at the invite-only national trials.
“This is my first cross country in the series and I want to ensure that I make the team for the world cross country. Despite having the flu, I managed to win since I understand this course very well,” said the West Pokot-born runner.
She won the race in 34:52.0 ahead Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech, who is also the world under 20 3,000m champion ( 35:19.4 ) with Milicent Kemboi completing the podium in 35:30.9.
Upstart Sebastian Kimaru won the 10km senior men ahead of Geoffrey Koech and Commonwealth Games 5,000m silver medalist Nicholas Kimeli coming third.
Kimaru, from Nandi County, won the title in 30:35.7 as Kericho’s Koech timed 30:38.7 with Kimeli timing 30:47.5.
“I have never run for the country and I will be looking for a chance to do so next year. My win here has given me another chance to prove to the country that I can run well,” said Kimaru.
In junior races, Gilbert Kiprotich and Deborah Chemutai won the 8km and 6km junior men and women respectively.
Kiprotich, running on home county, won the title in 24:52.0 ahead of Gideon Kiprotich (24:54.1) as Daniel Kimaiyo completed the podium in 24:55.4.
Chemutai (21:05.8) from Nandi County beat Marakwet’s Pamela Kosgei (21:15.9) and Dorothy Chemutai (21:18.5).
Selected results
2km Junior women
- Brenda Jebet- 6:39.9
- Birginia Nyambura-6:41.0
- Judy Chepkoech-6:45.0
- Purity Cherotich-6:49.0
- Qualyne Kiprop- 6:49.6
- Gladys Chepngetich- 6:56.4
2km Junior men
- Emmanuel wanyonyi- 5:47.5
- Abel Kipsang- 5:47.8
- Daniel Kosen- 5:49.6
- Matthews Kipsang- 5:52.1
- Geofrey Rono- 5:57.6
- Noah Kibet 5:52.9
6km Junior women
- Deborah Chemutai- 21:05.8
- Pamela Kosgei-21:15.9
- Dorothy Chemutai- 21:18.5
- Maureen Chepkoech- 21:18.9
- Christine Njoki- 21:28.3
- Faith Chepchumba- 21:35.9
8km Junior men
- Gilbert Kiprtich- 24:52.0
- Gideon Kiprotich- 24:54.1
- Daniel Kimaiyo-24:55.4
- Emmanuel Wafula- 25:00.4
- Mathew Kipkosgei- 25:10.47
- Collins Kibet- 25:12.9
10km Senior women
- Irene Cheptai- 34:52.0
- Jackline Chepkoech- 35:19.4
- Milicent Kemboi- 35:30.9
- Doris Cherop- 35:35.8
- Zenah Jeptoo- 35:53.0
- Winnie Boinett- 35:54.4
10km Senior men
- Sebastien Kimaru- 30:35.7
- Geoffrey Koech- 30:38.7
- Nicholas kimeli- 30:47.5
- Dennis Kipngetich- 30:54.4
- Asbel Kiprop- 31:00.4
- Hillary Kipchirchir- 31:07.1