Viola, Kasait big winners in regional cross country

The 2013 World Youth 3,000 metres champion Lilian Kasait Rengeruk stunned Olympic 1,500 meres champion Faith Chepng’etich to win senior women’s 10-kilometre race at South Rift Cross Country Championships held at Olootepes Picnic Site in Kajiado on Saturday.

Japheth Korir, the 2013 world cross country champion, continued to smoothen his return with victory in men’s 10km race, his second this season after winning during the second leg of Athletics Kenya Series in November in Kajiado.

Two times world cross country junior champion Viola Kibiwott and 2016 Lagos Marathon champion Abraham Kiptum ruled the roost at the Central Rift Cross Country Championships held at the Mosoriot Teachers Training College in Nandi County.

Japan-based Alex Mutiso and Grace Kimanzi reigned supreme to win senior men’s and women’s races during the Southern Region championship at Nguutani School in Mwingi.

Kasait tore the rich field to shreds in 32 minutes and 41.5 seconds as Chepng’etich, who had withdrawn from the race but opted to compete in the last minute, came in second in 33:09.3.

Interestingly, Kasait, who turns 20 on May 3, had won junior races during the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series in Sotik and Nyahururu.

Chepng’etich, who is the 2013 World Cross Country junior champion and the 2015 National Cross Country champion, had competed in two cross country races, finishing second respectively in Athletics Kenya Series in Machakos in December and at the Campaccio Cross in Italy early this month where Hellen Obiri won the two races.

Chepng’etich’s elder sister, Beatrice Mutai, who represented Kenya at the 2013 World Cross, was third in 33:15.0 followed by Joan Chepkemoi 33:20.3 and Caroline Chepkemoi 33:23.0.

MOMBASA CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Shimo la Tewa High School, Eric Shikuku of Mombasa Athletics Club clocked 25:27.13 seconds to win the 10km race at the Mombasa County championships and was followed by his club mate Henry Njoroge (26:46.91).

Fatuma Iddi of Mombasa Athletics Club won the women’s 10km race in 33:26.40 while Yusuf Mazera of Kenya Ports Authority won the 8km race in 22:07.49

Tana River, Kilifi and Kwale sub-branch officials said they will not hold their championships but will send strong teams for the Coast Regional championship to be held next Saturday in Kwale.

Lamu Athletics Kenya sub-branch chairman, Jaffer Omar, said they will hold their cross-country championship on Wednesday at the Mwai Kibaki ground in Lamu Island.

Reports by Ayumba Ayodi, Bernard Rotich,  Muneni Muthusi, Abdulrahman Sheriff