Nyandarua County dominates central region race

Nyandarua County dominated the Central region Cross Country Championships taking almost all the top positions in all categories at Karatina stadium in Nyeri County on Saturday.

Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties’ teams were so weak that they could not post a single athlete in the top five positions in all the categories.

Nyeri County had a smile after Ann Wanjiru who was given a wild card won the 8km senior women race but it was the only best performance.

Japan based long distant runner Bidan Karoki spiced Nyandarua county victory after he stole victory in the 12km senior men race with top six positions being swept by the same county.

This was the first time in the season Karoki was running cross country since he jetted in the country from Japan in January.

The race started at a high pace for in the initial 2km first lapse and at the middle of the third kilometer, one could easily see frustration in Karoki’s face as he tried to push the leading pack to pace up the tempo.

“I decided to break-off at the third kilometre to control the pace of the race. It was not very competitive but the weather was harsh,” he said.

At the final lapse whistle, spectators were spontaneously on top of their voices as Karoki pushed a 100metre gap from James Gitahi and Bernard Kimani who were breathlessly hopping behind him.

He strongly breasted the tape after a blasting final kick as his watch stopped at 35:58.5. Kimani pulled a rabbit on the home stretch as he rudely dislodged Gitahi a metre from the finish line to become the second clocking 36:20.5.

Central region Athletics Kenya chairman David Miano termed the performance of each county as a score card to their respective county sports offices and challenged them to prioritize sports especially athletics.

“Let this performance be a wakeup call to our sports officers charged with the mandate of promoting our youth,” said Miano.

The host, Nyeri County, managed third position after it struggled with a frail team. Athletes have moved from the county due to poor stadiums.

Kirinyaga county had to rest with fourth position while Kiambu held the tail.

Mathira Member of Parliament Peter Weru graced the occasion.