Upstart Alvin Kipkorir has set his focus on the 2023 track calendar buoyed by his dominance at Athletics Kenya Uasin Gishu County Cross Country championships held on Wednesday at the Lobo Village, Kapseret.
With Team Kenya to the World Cross Country Championships already selected to represent the country in Bathurst, Australia on February 18, 2023, Kipkorir said he will focus on the 5,000m come next year, with his primary target a ticket to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
"I really want to represent my country in major championships and my focus next year wi be on track events since the cross country season is coming to an end. In addition, Team Kenya to the World Cross has already been selected," said Kipkorir.
Speaking at his Complete Sports Training Club base in Uasin Gishu County after the visit by National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) team led by President Paul Tergat, Kipkorir said he, however, has some unfinished business on grass and will compete at the Central Rift Cross Country Championships set for January 7, 2023 at the Lobo village.
"The competition was not intense and I face little challenge but I want better results when I represent my county at the regional championships," he said.
The 21-year-old Kipkorir won the 10km senior men category, where a total of six athletes faced off, emerging victorious in 31:50 ahead of Julius Kipkoech (32:56) and Kelvin Kumutai (33:06).
In the women's race, Debora Cherono was victorious in the 10km senior women’s in a in the low-key championship where only two women runners battled for the crown.
The tiny runner defeated her only competitor, Emily Jerop when they clocked 40:21.40 and 47:03.1.
In the 8km junior men, Raphael Kelian won the title in 24:50.11, beating Kenneth Kiprop (25:24.11) and Elias Kiptoo in 27:2065.
In a four-runner contest, Sarah Jepkoech won the women's 6km title in 23:67.32 ahead of Dorcas Chesiro and Linah Chebet.
In Baringo County, at the Metipso Primary School, Joshine Wanjiku and Geoffrey Rono were winners in senior women and men respectively.
Selected results:
Uasin Gishu County
10km senior men
- Alvin Kipkorir- 31:50
- Julius Kipkoech-32:56
- Kelvin Kimutai- 33:06
- Elly Maiyo- 33:11
- Elkana Kipruto-33:16
- Dennis Kiplagat- 34:16
10km women
Debora Cherono-40:21.40
Emily Cherop- 47:01.1
8km junior men
- Raphael Kelian- 24:50.11
- Kenneth Kiproono- 25:24.28
- Elias Kiptoo-27:20.65
- Shadrack Kibiwott- 27:59.15
- Cornelius Kogo- 28:21.50
- Isaac Ndiwa-28:27.47
6km junior women
- Sarah Jepkoech- 23:37.62
- Dorcas Chesire- 23:38.48
- Linah Chebet23:50.87
- Faith Jeptanui-24:14.53
8km junior men
- Raphael Kelian- 24:50.11
- Kenneth Kiprono-25:24.28
- Elias Kiptoo-27:20.65
- Shadrack Kibiwott-27:15.15
- Cornelius Kogo-28:21.50
- Isaac Ndiwa- 28:27.47
