Jepkoech seeks AK cross-country three-peat in Bomet

Maurine Jepkoech will headline the senior women’s race at the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series’ fourth leg in Bomet this Saturday, chasing her third victory in the series.

Jepkoech opened her campaign with a commanding triumph at the Machakos opener on October 19, clocking 36:22.9 to edge Christine Njoki (36:32.2) and Esther Chemtai (37:13.7).

She followed it up with another dominant performance in the second leg in Kapsokwony on October 26, where she outpaced the field to finish in 34:05.87. Catherine Reline (34:07.77) and Delvine Meringor (34:38.54) completed the podium.

Despite skipping the third leg in Iten earlier this month, where Cynthia Chepng’eno (34:27.4), Miriam Chebet (34:28.5), and Reline (34:29.7) swept the podium, Jepkoech is determined to reclaim her winning form in Bomet.

According to AK executive member and veteran coach John Kimetto, preparations for the fourth leg are nearly complete.

“Preparations are going on well, and I am happy to report that we are in the final stages,” Kimetto said. “We have already mapped out the course, and it is in excellent condition. Taping of the course will be done on Friday to ensure everything is ready for Saturday.”

Kimetto expects over 500 athletes to participate, highlighting the Bomet Cross Country’s reputation for attracting a strong field.

“This event is always well-attended. Bomet is the hub of athletes and the home of stars like World 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, World 10km record holder Agnes Ngetich, Chicago Marathon champion John Korir among others.

“We urge all athletes to register and fans to turn up in large numbers to support the competitors,” he added.

The flat course at the Bomet Airstrip provides an ideal platform for athletes to test their speed.

“The course we have here in Bomet is flat. It is a course where the athletes can test their speed and coaches can use to gauge their athletes ahead of the 2025 season,” Kimetto noted.

Athletes must pick up their bib numbers in person on Friday at the AGC Town Church in Bomet. 

Saturday’s program includes the senior 10km race, the Under-20 6km (women) and 8km (men) races, and a 2km loop event.

The day's proceedings will kick off with the women's 6km race at 9am followed by the men's 8km race 9:50am and women's 2km loop at 10:40am.

The women's 10km race follows at 11am, men's 2km race 11:50am with the men's 10km race closing the day's events at 12:10pm.

Winners of the elite races will take home Sh50,000 with Sh40,000 and Sh20,000 awarded to the first, second and third place finishers, respectively.

In the Under-20 category, the top three will pocket Sh30,000, Sh20,000, and Sh15,000.

The 2km loop category top three will pocket Sh10,000, Sh7,000 and Sh5,000 respectively.