Chelimo, Kimeli win in Elgeyo Marakwet

Joan Chemeli wins the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, 10km senior women’s race held in Iten on January 20, 2018. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

What you need to know:

  • Boston Half Marathon champion Chelimo clocked 32:18.4 ahead of Valary Aiyabei (32:35.5) while Antonina Kwambai was third (33:48.2).

Joan Chelimo and Bernard Kimeli on Saturday won the Elgeyo Marakwet County cross country senior races.

Boston Half Marathon champion Chelimo, who has been named as a reserve for the IAAF World Half Marathon team, clocked 32:18.4 ahead of Valary Aiyabei (32:35.5) while Antonina Kwambai was third (33:48.2).

“I have been training well for the race but when I started, I was bit nervous because Valary Aiyabei was running with me and I knew she is strong. I was just running as part of my training to improve my speed,” said Chelimo.

She further revealed that she would run in Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February.

“It’s a first course and I’m eyeing a podium finish and also lower my personal best,” said Chelimo.

The Iten-based athlete also thanked AK for selecting her in the World Half marathon team to Valencia.

“I’m happy I was able to be selected in the team that will be representing Kenya in the World Half Marathon. I hope to be in the team because I have always wanted to run again in Valencia where I won in 2012,” said the athlete.

Kimeli told Nation Sport that he is eyeing to be in the Kenyan team that will be representing the country in the Africa Cross Country Championships in Algeria.

“I’m really working hard so that I can do well in the National trials because I want to be in the team that will be heading to Algeria for the Africa Cross Country Championships,” said Iten based athlete.

Kimeli clocked 29:19.2 ahead of his training mates Josphat Tanui who ran in 29:20.4 while Evans Kurui timed 29:26.8.

In the junior men 8km category, Vincent Kiprotich (22:43.8) battled it out with World Under-18 silver medalist in 3,000m Edward Zakayo (23:07.9) before winning while Abel Kiplimo settled for third position after clocking 23:18.9.

In the women’s 6km junior category, Agnes Jebet led after running in 19:55.8 ahead of Winnie Kimutai who clocked 20:21.9 while Catherine Relin timed 20:25.9.

The athletes will now converge in Kapenguria, West Pokot for the Regionals Cross Country Championships on February 3rd before selecting a strong team that will represent the region at the National Cross Country Championships-Cum-trials.