Finally, Karoki quenches title thirst

Last year, Japan-based Bedan Karoki fell just one lap short of winning the national 10,000 metres title at the Nyayo National Stadium.

He dropped off due to the effects of altitude and earning the consolation of a wildcard ticket to the All Africa Games. He did not disappoint, winning a silver medal in Maputo.

And on Saturday, he made amends, getting everything right to win the national 12km title at the KCB Kenya National Cross Country Championships at the Uhuru Gardens.

Stripped of its colour, as there is no World Cross Country Championships this year, the nationals instead acted as selection for the Africa Cross Country Championships to be held in Cape Town next month.

But Karoki opted out of the team to Cape Town, as did World marathon champion, Ednah Kiplagat, who is preparing for the Virgin London Marathon.

Karoki, a former student at Sera High School in Hiroshima, is scheduled to travel back to Japan where he runs for the S&D Team in Tokyo.

“I used today’s race for speedwork as I prepare for London, and also to represent the Kenya Police force” said Kiplagat who was third on Saturday in the senior women’s 12-kilometre race won by Joyce Chepkurui in 26 minutes and eight seconds.

Kiplagat helped Police to the overall team title in the senior women’s race with 34 points, followed by Kenya Defence Forces (46) and North Rift (71).

Running for his Central province, the 22-year-old Karoki showed little respect for a classy field as he blasted away to victory in 35:19.2.

Making a comeback after many injury-troubled years, former world junior cross country champion Philip Mosima finished a credible 37th.

“I had problems with my running shoes which affected my performance. But my body feels good and I will step up my training,” said Mosima, 35.

Chepkurui, from Iten, tore the women’s eight-kilometre line up to shreds, beating veteran Margaret Wangare (26:19.2) to second place and Kiplagat (26:09) to third.

World Youth 3,000m champion, William Malel, carried the junior men’s race in 23:07.05 while world cross-country junior champion Faith Chepng’etich lived up her billing as she easily won the six-kilometre women’s race in 19:50.0.

“The team will go into camp in Ngong from March 1,” Athletics Kenya selector Peter Angwenyi said.