Kipkoech, Ndiema claim The Great Chepsaita Cross Country Titles

Mathew Kipkoech and Dorcus Ndiema were crowned the champions of the third edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country, a World Athletics Gold Label event held today in Chepsaita. 

As Kelvin Kariankei and Joan Chepkurui dominate th Under-20 men’s and women’s races.

Kipkoech clinched the men’s 10km crown in 31:49, outkicking Cornelius Konor (31:50) and Sammy Kapserem (31:51) in a fierce three-way sprint finish.

‎‎The 20-year-old, who trains in the famed high-altitude hub of Iten, upgraded his third place finish from last year’s race.

‎‎‎‎“I put more effort after that podium finish and motivated myself to keep going.”

‎‎Kipkoech has been in sparkling cross country claiming back-to-back podium finishes in European meets.

‎‎Runner-up Konor relished his senior debut in Chepsaita after featuring in the U20 ranks last year.

‎‎“This is my second time here. The competition was very tough but I thank God I was able to finish,” he said. 

‎‎Ndiema delivered a commanding performance, powering to victory in 35:44. 

‎‎Brenda Jepchirchir (36:08) and Faith Cherono (36:39) completed the podium.

‎‎Ndiema, who turned 20 just a day earlier, said the win was the perfect response to missing out on Kenya’s team to the Florida World Cross Country Championships after the nationals in October.

‎‎Competing at Chepsaita for the second time after running the U-20 race last year, Ndiema now graduates to the senior elite ranks with soaring confidence.

‎‎“On track I run the 5,000m, and I hope soon I can represent the country at major championships.”

‎‎Jepchirchir, trains in Keringet under coach Willy Langat, says she had not expected to finish on the podium.

‎In the 8km men, Kariankei cruised to victory in 25:20 to ahead of Emmanuel Kipchirchir (25:27) and Alex Pelor (25:33).

‎The Form Four student at Chepsaita Secondary School said lessons learnt from his appearance at the National Cross Country Championships proved invaluable.

‎‎“At the nationals I finished 12th but today I was victorious,” he said. 

‎‎“After the nationals, I realised that I was going out too hard with a fast pace. But today,  I ran smart with the leading group, then pushed in the final lap, and that paid off.”

“I had run in Baringo and at the Nationals where I finished fourth. After that, I went back to training and was running 10km in the morning and 4km in the evening,” he added.

‎Chepkurui stormed to the women’s U20 6km crown in 21:34, outkicking Mercy Kirwa who clocked 21:48, while Fancy Chepkorir completed the podium in 22:07.

‎‎Despite her emphatic display, the Kuresoi-based athlete admitted victory caught her off guard.

‎‎“This is my first time running here in Chepsaita. The race was not easy and I did not expect to win. However, I am happy with the results,” Chepkurui said. 

‎‎“The course was very hard but I was determined to finish, so I pushed on. I had done proper training because I knew Chepsaita is never an easy race.”

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