Kipruto, Tirop clinch Wareng Cross Country titles

Business literally came to a standstill at the Huruma grounds in the outskirts of Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County as athletics faithful flocked the area to catch the Wareng Cross Country action on Sunday.

World Under-20 10,000m champion Rhonex Kipruto illuminated the crowd as he strolled to victory in the senior men’s 10km race with the victory earning him a brand new Mazda hatchback.

The 19-year-old who was nominated for the IAAF male rising star award had an easy outing as he led from gun to tape, clocking 29 minutes and 38 seconds for the win.

Davis Kimeli settled for the second spot in a time of 29:56 followed by Shadrack Kimutai who clocked 30:07.

Kipruto said with the car at stake that motivated him extra hard revealing that his target is to make it to the World Cross Country Championships to be held next year in Aarhus, Denmark.

“The race was competitive because everyone wanted to win the car, but I am pleased to have gone home with it. My main aim is to make it to team Kenya for the World Cross Country,” Kipruto said.

Meanwhile, it was a close contest in the corresponding women’s race as trio of Agnes Tirop, Sandrafelis Chebet and Norah Jeruto battled for the top honours.

Tirop who is the 2015 World Cross Country Champion pushed for the lead with three kilometres to go but the Ndalat Gaa Cross Country Champion Chebet and Jeruto were hot on her heels but managed to win in 33:15.

Jeruto came in second after clocking 33:35 while the Ndalat Gaa cross Country Champion Chebet was third in 33:37.

Tirop who hails from Nandi County said she had trained specifically for the race for the last three months a prospect that propelled her to victory.

” I wanted to win the car, I have never competed before in a race that a car is at stake. Furthermore, I knew j would face stiff competition which pushed me harder in my training,” said Tirop.

The 23 year old has now shifted her gear towards the national cross county championships cum World Cross Country trials to be held in Eldoret February.

“I am now going to train for the next three months for the trials which I hope to make the cut to team Kenya for the Cross Country,” Tirop added.

World under-20 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet from Londiani outmuscled her competitors enroute to winning the 6km junior race in 20:20.

Edna Jebitok and Emmaculate Chepkirui completed the podium in 20:38 and 20:40 respectively.

Chebet who also won the junior women race at the Ndalat Gaa and finished second at the Baringo road race attributed her fine form to her regular participation at the AK cross country meetings.

” I have been using the AK meets to gauge myself for the trials slated for February and now I am planning to participate at the Mosoriot meeting in three weeks time,” Chebet said.

In the 8km junior men, Michael Kibet from West Pokot County won the race in 23:51 after overcoming a spirited fight from Bravin Kogei who eventually styled for the second spot in 24:01.

Charles Kakuri was timed at 24:03 as he settled for the final podium place.

SUMMARISED RESULTS

10km senior men
1 Rhonex Kipruto 29:38
2 Davis Kimeli 29:56
3 Shadrack Kimutai 30:07
4 Simon Letanya 30:11
5 Geoffrey Kimutai 30:25

10km senior women
1Agnes Tirop 33:15
2 Norah Jeruto 33:35
3 Sandrafelis Chebet 33:37
4 Dorcas Jepchirchir 33:43
5 Daisy Chepkemei

8km Junior men
1 Michael Kibet 23:51
2 Bravin Kogei 24:01
3 Charles Kakuri 24:03
4 Solomon Boit 24:08
5 Gideon Kipngetich 24:12

6km junior women
1 Beatrice Chebet 20:21
2 Edna Jebitok 20:38
3 Emmaculate Chepkirui 20:40
4 Deborah Chemutai 20:44
5 Josephine Chelanga 20:51