Agnes Jebet shines in second AK meet in Bungoma

World cross-country bronze medallist, Agnes Jebet Ngetich lived up to expectations, to win the Senior women's 10km in the second edition of Athletics Kenya (AK) cross-country weekend meeting held at Kapsokwony High School in Bungoma County on Saturday 21 October.

The Kapsokwony event was her first AK meet since the season kicked off in Machakos last weekend.

Ngetich showcased resilience to beat a strong elite field that included the 2013 World 800m champion, Eunice Sum, reigning Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon champion, Betty Chepkemoi, and World cross Country Junior race bronze medallist, Pamela Kosgei.

The youngster who came in second during the Kericho cross country meet held on October 15 completed the course under 32:14.57 ahead of Immaculate Anyango who took second place in 32:40.18. Betty Chepkemoi wrapped up the podium in a time of 34:13.05.

Caroline Biwott and the reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist, Sheila Chepkirui came home in fourth and fifth in respective time of 34:28.66 and 35:32.33.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games 800m champion, Sum finished a distant ninth in 37:22.78.

Ngetich broke the women-only world 10km record in the Transylvania 10km in Brasov, Romania on September 10 with a time of 29:24 to surpass the initial time of 30:01 set by the late Agnes Tirop in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 2021.

In the men’s race, Charles Rotich emerged overall winner after clocking 29:52.63.

He was followed closely by Samwel Limo in 30:13.74 as Vincent Kimaiyo took third spot after clocking 30:18.21.

During the first leg of the cross-country weekend meeting held in Machakos on October 14, double Africa U20 silver medallist, Sandra Chebet won the women's 10km race in a time of 34:02:6 and was followed by Mercy Chepkorir (35:04:4) and Teresa Cherotich (35.09:1).

Vincent Mutai won the men’s 10km title in 29:39:1 followed by Arthunus Kioko (29:42:2) and Brian Kiptoo (30:07:6) respectively.

The next meet will be in Bomet in November with all these culminating in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships set for March 30, 2024, in Belgrade, Serbia.

10KM WOMEN

Agnes Ng’etich 32:14.57

Emmaculate Anyango 32:40.18

Betty Chepkemoi 33:52.41

Pamela Kosgei 34:13.05

Caroline Biwott 34:28.66

Sheila Chepkirui 35:32.33