Chebor , Ronoh dominate AK/Betika cross country in Machakos

KASS Sports

Maureen Chebor successfully defended her 10km women’s race title while Gideon Ronoh was crowned the senior men’s winner as the Athletics Kenya/Betika Cross Country Series got underway at Machakos Teachers College on Saturday.

Chebor asserted her dominance after breaking away from a leading pack that included national 5,000m champion Rebecca Mwangi and 2015 World U18 2,000m steeplechase silver medallist Sandrafelis Chebet, to take top honours in 30 minutes and 38 seconds.

 

She will now be eyeing a chance to represent Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, after missing out on a ticket to feature in the 5000m during the Tokyo World Championships Scheduled for Sept 13–21.

 

Chebet chased Chebor to the finish to settle for second place in 31:08, while Mwangi, who was testing her endurance, took third in 31:19. “My journey to Tokyo is over, but I am happy with the new personal best I set of 14:50.68. It means I am on the right track. All I have to do is to be patient, focus on the World Cross Country Championships, and then start preparing for the track season. I had prepared well to compete at Machakos, and I am happy with my performance,” said Chebor, the Festival du Cross-Country (France) winner.

 

 

In the men’s race, Japan-based Ronoh, who finished second at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, outran the 2024 Africa Cross Country champion Vincent Langat to take the title in 28:12. Langat settled for second in 28:19, while national 10,000m champion Silas Senchura completed the podium in 28:20.

 

“It was not an easy race. The weather made it difficult because it was chilly, but I managed to endure and emerge the winner. I will focus on making the Team Kenya, and my preparations have to be good to ensure I do it. I know there are other athletes eyeing the opportunity, so I have no time to relax,” said Ronoh, who finished 10th in the 5,000m during the Team Kenya Trials on July 22.

 

 

National 5,000m silver medallist, Cynthia Chepkurui, led her South Rift teammates to a clean sweep in the U20 women’s category, winning in 18:55. She was followed by Africa U20 3,000m bronze medallist Joyline Chepkemoi (19:00) and Jane Wangari (19:03), who took second and third respectively.

 

In the U20 men’s race, Festus Kimorwo Kaptum of Central Rift stopped the clock at 21:53 in a sprint finish ahead of Ronald Ngetich of South Rift (21:54) and Chepsaita Cross Country U20 champion Kelvin Kiprop of the Central region (21:56), who finished third.

 

Other cross-country meets will be held in Kapsokwony and Olkalou. The series has been reduced from six to three events because the World Cross Country Championships will be held early in January (10), a move aimed at giving athletes adequate time to prepare and be cleared for competition by the Kenyan Anti-Doping Agency.

 

Provisional results 

Women’s 10km

1. Maurine Jepkoech Chebor (North Rift) -30:38

2. Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei (Kenya Police)- 31:08

3. Rebecca Njeri Mwangi (Kenya Prisons ) -31:19

4. Winfred Mbithe (Kenya Police) 31:30

5. Diana Chepkemoi (South Rift)- 31:30

6. Diana Wanza (Nairobi) 31:35

Men’s 10km

1. Gideon Ronoh (Central)- 28:12

2. Vincent Langat (South Rift) – 28:19

3. Silas Senchura (South Rift)-28:20

4. Victor Kipruto (North Rift) -28:21

5. Kelvin Kiplagat Rotich (Central Rift) -28:24

6. Victor Kimosop (Central Rift)- 28:26

Girls’ 6km 

1. Cynthia Chepkurui (South Rift) -18:55

2. Joyline Chepkemoi (South Rift)- 19:00

3. Jane Wangari (South Rift)-19:03

4. Miriam Chemutai Kibet (South Rift)- 19:05

5. Remus Naserian (South Rift)- 19:05

6. Anatasha Cheptoo Langat (South Rift)- 19:35

 Boys 8km  

1. Festus Kimorwo Kaptum (Central Rift)- 21:53

2. Ronald Kipkoech Ngetich (South Rift) 21:54

3. Kevin Kiprop Biwott (Central)- 21:56

4. Charles Kiboino (Central Rift)- 22:60

5. Nicholas Kipchumba (Central)- 22:08

6. Kelvin Kakenya Kariankei (Central Rift) -22:13

Women’s 2km 

1. Caren Chepng’eno (South Rift)- 6:32

2. Jacenta Abese (Kenya Prisons) 6:38

3. Josephine Sembeyo (South Rift) 6:49

4. Lucy Kwamboka (Nyanza South)- 6:57

5. Sarah Kwamboka (Nyanza South) 7:03

6. Josephine Nyakora (Kenya Prisons)- 7:05

Men’s 2km

1. David Kipkoech Toroitich (Central Rift) – 5:32

2. Solomon Kimutai (National Youth Service)- 5:35

3. Ezekiel Letaya (Kenya Defence Forces) 5:36

4. Patrick Kiprono Rotich (KDF) 5:36

5. Vincent Mekenye Gwachi (North Rift) 5:37

6. Kamar Etiang (North Rift)- 5:37