• Simiu said he almost developed a stitch in the second loop but managed to hold on to victory.
• Chepkoech, who woke up at 2 am to make it in time for the event, was elated with how the race went.
Image: EMMANUEL SABUNI
Emmaculate Anyango and Daniel Simiu are the winners of the 2024 edition of Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Championships held at the Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County on Saturday.
Anyango, the second-fastest woman over 10km, won the senior women's 10km race in 32:55 followed by former marathon world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei in (33:10) and Catherine Reline (33:18).
“I did not do well in class and now athletics is my everything. Running remains my only hope,” said Anyango.
Jepkosgei was using the event as part of her speed training ahead of the 2024 Barcelona Half Marathon on February 11.
“I was supposed to do speed work today in preparation for the Barcelona Half Marathon scheduled for next week. This was a good speed work test for me,” said Jepkosgei.
Simiu said he almost developed a stitch in the second loop but managed to hold on to victory.
"I almost dropped out but my coach (Erick Kibet) motivated me to hold on and finish the race. This is my second event of the year in the country, after the National Police cross country championships, this shows that I am ready to face the world," said Simiu.
He clocked 29:16 ahead of the World Under-20 Cross Country champion Ishmael Kipkurui who timed 29:18. Weldon Langat timed 29:26 for the bronze medal.
Image: EMANUEL SABUNI
Second-placed Kipkirui talked of a fast course that favoured the more experienced Simiu.
World 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Purity Jepkirui won the 2km loop that was used to select the African Cross Country relay team.
Wanyonyi, a former world under 20 800m champion said: “I am happy with my performance. I'm yet to know which race I will start with a win."
Wanyonyi won the title in 5:41.2 ahead of Victor Kipkirui (5:42.1) and Edwin Kiprono (95:45.9).
Langat observed: “I am motivated by today's performance. It tells me I can do well in the 800m."
Jepkirui, who is returning from an injury, is happy to have run a trouble-free race.
“I was testing myself as I start the season on my first year in the senior ranks,” said Jepkirui, who won the title in 6:29.6 ahead of Miriam Cherop in 6:39.3 and Eveline Chepkoech in 6:47.1.
Cherop is happy with how her body responded, giving her a good start for the season with focus on the African Games in Accra, Ghana in March and the Paris Olympics games in July-August.
Chepkoech, who woke up at 2 am to make it in time for the event, was elated with how the race went.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Mercy Chepkemoi won the 6km junior women's race, part of her training ahead of the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrad, Serbia next month.
She clocked 20:07 ahead of name sakd Diana Chepkemoi (201:10) and Shaeila Jebet (20:12).
“I did not expect the victory. I was a bit tense but I am happy to book a slot in team Kenya for Africa Cross Country,” said Mercy.
Diana observed: “The season started with a victory in the women's 5,000m at the AK Thika track and field meeting. I won the 1,500m in my second race at the AK Nairobi weekend meeting. My endurance and speed is 70 per cent okay,” she said.
Jebet said: “Today's result is promising as I seek to compete at the Africa Cross Country Championships.”
A week after winning the Discovery Cross Country Championships, Mathew Kipkoech won the 8km junior men's title in 23:32 ahead of Samuel Kibathi (23:37) and Charles Rotich (23:40).
Selected results:
2Km loop women
1. Purity Jepkirui 6:29.6
2. Miriam Cherop 6:39.3
3. Evalyn Cheekoech 6:47.1
4. Winfred Mbithe 6:48.8
5. Millicent Kemboi 6:52.1
6. Winnie Chebet 6:55.3
2Km loop men
1. Emmanuel Wanyonyi 5:41.2
2. Victor kipkirui 5:42.1
3. edwin Kiprono 5:45.9
4. Abel Kipsang 5:47.4
5. Newton kipkirui 5:48.0
6. Tamar Ethian 5:48.6
Under 20 men
1. Mathew Kipkoech-23:32
2. Samuel Kibathi-23:37
3. Charles Rotich-23:40
4. Jonah Erot-23:52
5. Titus Kiprotich-24:01
6. Gideon Kipngetich-24:04
6km under 20 women
1. Mercy Chepkemoi-20:07
2. Diana Chepkemoi-20:10
3. Sheila Jebet-20:12
4. Joyline Chepkemoi-20:14
5. Judy Kemunto-20:19
6. Nancy Cherop-20:24
10km senior women
1. Emmaculate Anyango-32:55
2. Joyciline Jepkosgei-33:10
3. Catherine Reline-33:18
4. Cynthia Chepngeno-33:30
5. Glorious Jepkirui-33:43
6. Grace Loibach-33:55
10km senior men
1. Daniel Simiu-29:16
2. Ishmael Kipkurui-29:18
3. Weldon Langat-29:26
4. Naibei Kiplimo-29:27
5. Vincent Langat-29:32
6. Jacob Krop-29:39