Chemweno rediscovers her form

Gladys Chemweno (851) looks tense but nonetheless focused as she leads other athletes over an incline during the senior women’s 8km race at the 19th Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships at the Eldoret Sports Club on Sunday. Chemweno won the race. Photo/ JARED NYATAYA

Cross country running sensation, Gladys Chemweno, upstaged a strong field to win the senior women’s race at the Nike International/Rosa Associati Stable 19th Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships in Eldoret on Sunday.

Chemweno, who leads the Kenya Commercial Bank/Athletics Kenya (AK) Sh1 million jackpot leaderboard, thrilled the more than 6,000-strong crowd, among them top Italian track and field agent Gabrielle Rosa and Athletics Kenya officials, with the former world cross junior star Pamela Lisoreng challenging her. Chemweno won in 27 minutes and 17 seconds.

Joel Kimurer won the 12km senior men’s race in 36:14. “The victory was a surprise to me, although the weather was favourable. The win inspires as I prepare for national championships and trials,” said Kimurer.

World Youth 3,000m champion, Purity Cherotich, beat world cross country championships silver medalist Mercy Cherono in the junior women’s 6km race. John Kemboi lived up to his hot billing to win the junior men’s 8km title in 24:21.