Trailblazing Obiri wins fourth KDF X-Country title

Laikipia Airbase's Hellen Obiri cruises on her way to victory in women's 10km race at the Kenya Defence Forces Cross Championships on January 25, 2019 at Kahawa Garisson. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |

What you need to know:

  • Kamais settled second in 33:01.6 followed by Deborah Samum (Moi Airbase).

World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri sealed her fourth Kenya Defence Forces Cross Country Championships women's 10km title on Friday to fire early warning shots ahead of the National Championships.

Obiri, the Commonwealth and Africa 5,000m champion, shook off Perin Nenkampi after two laps and never looked back to win the race in 32 minutes and 19.5 seconds at the sunny Kahawa Garisson course.

Thika's Irena Kamais overtook Nenkampi in the third lap but failed to bridge the close to 400m gap put by the trail-blazing Obiri.

Kamais settled second in 33:01.6 followed by Deborah Samum (Moi Airbase).

"I have always won the KDF races but missed the National Championships having opted for the World Indoor events, " said Obiri, who won the title in 2014 before going for back-to-back feats in 2017 and 2018.

"But let my rivals know that I am ready for my first Nationals to not only participate but win," said Obiri adding that she will skip the World Indoor Tour this time around to focus on the National Championships due February 23 at Eldoret Golf Club and later World Cross Country Championships planned for March 30 in Aarhus, Denmark.

Obiri also disclosed that she is determined to defend her World 5,000m title come October this year in Doha. "I also want to upgrade my silver from 2016 Rio Olympics at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games," said Obiri.

Kamais, 21, was delighted to settle second on her debut at the KDF event.