Valencia 10km champion Weldon Langat and Immaculate Anyango won the senior races in the 32nd edition of Discovery Kenya Cross country Championships staged at the Eldoret Sports Club on Sunday.
Anyango edged out top-ranking athletes to win in the senior 8km women's race ahead of the likes of Gladys Chesir, Burundian Francine Nyonsaba, and Catherine Reline among others.
Anyango, who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county, clocked 27:49.4 ahead of Reline (28:02.3) and Njoki (28:19.9), who finished second and third respectively.
“I just graduated into the senior cadre and I had to follow all instructions from my coach (Ken Rotich) who has laid my foundation in athletics,” said Anyango.
She said Sirikwa Cross Country Tour in Eldoret on Saturday is next on her schedule. “I want to recover early enough for the Sirikwa race,” she added.
Langat, who plans to compete at the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon next month, won the men’s race in 30:31.2 with Bravin Kiprop placing second in 30:38.1. He relegated world 10km record holder and 2019 Discovery race winner, Rhonex Kipruto to third position in 30:44.1.
“The humid conditions made this race difficult but I am happy to have prevailed. Up next for me is next month's RAK Half Marathon next month. I came here to try my best because I was also recovering from the Valencia race,” he said.
In a family battle, Kevin Kiprop edged out his elder brother Kipkosgei to sixth position in the junior 8km men's race.
Kiprop, who trains in Torongo Training Camp in Baringo, cut the tape in 25:05.5 ahead of Amos Kiprotich (25:08.3) and Gilbert Kiprotich ( 25:11.1) for second and third places respectively.
Nandi's Maurine Jepkoech won the 6km under 20 women's title in (21:19.0). Deborah Chemutai (21:27.1) and Miriam Chemutai (21:32.6) placed second and third respectively.
SELECTED RESULTS
10km Senior men
1. Weldon Langat 30:31.2
2. Bravin Kiprop 30:38.1
3. Rhonex Kipruto 30:44.1
4. Reuben Longosiwa 30:54.5
5. Dennis Kitio 30:56.2
6. Cornelius Kemboi 30:56.5
8km Senior women
1. Immaculate Anyango 27:49.4
2. Catherine Relin 28:02.3
3. Christine Njoki 28:19.9
4. Roselida Jepketer 28:25.4
5. Francine Niyonsaba 28:26.8
6. Gladys Chesir 28:35.5
8km Junior men
1. Kevin Kiprop 25:05.5
2. Amos Kiprotich 25:08.3
3. Gilbert Kiprotich 25:11.1
4. Kevin Kiplagat 25:14.7
5. Joel Loshakori 25:16.9
6. Evans Kipkosgei 25:25.7
6km Junior women
1. Maurine Jepkoech 21:19.0
2. Deborah Chemutai 21:27.1
3. Miriam Chemutai 21:32.6
4. Yvonne Chepchirchir 21:44.7
5. Florence Chepkoech 21:50.1
6. Martha Jelimo 22:04.9
