Chelimo clinches maiden Police cross title

Margaret Chelimo wins the women's 10km race during the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships at Ngong racecourse on January 26, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |

What you need to know:

  • Chelimo, a 13th place finisher at the 2015 World Cross Country Championships clocked 33 minutes and 09.2 seconds as Kiyeng, the 2016 Rio Olympics 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, came in second in 33:43.5 with Jepkorir settling third in 33:55.3 to all make the Police team for the National Cross Country Championships planned for February 23 national trials at Eldoret Golf Club
  • It's the World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, who led into the second lap before Chelimo took control and never looked back as she withstood Kiyeng's surge to triumph

African Games 5,000m champion Margaret Chelimo from Eastern is the new Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships women's 10km champion.

Chelimo, who has taken part in the event since 2016, finally claimed her maiden victory, beating the 2015 World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng and 2012 World Half Marathon bronze medallist Pascalia Jepkorir during the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships at Ngong racecourse on Saturday.

Chelimo, a 13th place finisher at the 2015 World Cross Country Championships clocked 33 minutes and 09.2 seconds as Kiyeng, the 2016 Rio Olympics 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist, came in second in 33:43.5 with Jepkorir settling third in 33:55.3 to all make the Police team for the National Cross Country Championships planned for February 23 national trials at Eldoret Golf Club.

It's the World 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, who led into the second lap before Chelimo took control and never looked back as she withstood Kiyeng's surge to triumph.

"This is my first race this season and it feels great to also win for the first time," said Chelimo, who finished fifth last year.

Chelimo would later declare her intention for the National and the World title.

Kiyeng, the 2017 World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist, also made her intentions obvious ahead of the Nationals and the World Cross Country Championships planned for March 30 in Aarhus, Denmark.

"After the cross country season, I want to run sparingly as I prepare to reclaim my World steeplechase title in Doha in October," said Kiyeng, who finished fourth during the 2017 World Cross Country Championships in Kampala.