Jepkorir, Kwemoi triumphant as Rift picks squads
Athletes compete during the 6km junior race at the AK Central Rift championships in Eldama Ravine on February 9, 2019. PHOTO | CHEBOITE KIGEN |
What you need to know:
- World under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto and World under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo were reserved for the national trials set for the 23rd at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County.
New talents emerged during the Athletics Kenya North Rift Cross Country Championships at Maralal Sports ground in Samburu County on Saturday.
World under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto and World under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo were reserved for the national trials set for the 23rd at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County.
Samburu’s Michael Kibet and Elgeyo Marakwet’s Brilliant Jepkorir were the winners of the senior races as the North Rift picked a formidable squad for the national cross country championships cum national trials ahead of the World Cross Country Championships to be held in Aarhus, Denmark on March 30.
Fresh from winning the Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championships in Eldoret, former world junior cross country champion Jepkorir won the 10km women’s race in 33:36.9 ahead of Samburu’s Vicot Chepngeno who clocked 34:98.7 while Gloria Kite completed the podium in 34:49.6.
“I’m eyeing a slot in the Kenyan team that will be heading to the World Cross Country Championships. It will be a tough battle but I want to use all the tactics to make it,” Jepkorir said.
Former World Under-20 10,000m champion Rodgers Kwemoi and Qualine Kiprop from Baringo County emerged winners in the senior category during the Central Rift Athletics Kenya Cross Country Championships held at Metipso Primary School in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.
“I had done good preparations for this race and my target is to be named in the team for the World Cross Country Championships. I missed in 2017 after falling ill but this time round I hope for the best,” said the Japan-based athlete.
In the North Rift’s 10km senior men’s category, little known Michael Kibet won in 29:39.6 ahead Mathew Kimeli (29:57.4) and Raymond Magut’s 30:06.7.
It was all Elgeyo Marakwet in the junior women’s race as they swept the podium. Feliciana Kanda led in 20:05.2 beating Agnes Jebet’s 25:05.83 and Winnie Kimutai was third clocking 20:23.5.
