Chepngetich, Katul triumph at national cross country championship

Chicago Marathon women's champion Ruth Chepngetich was a cut above the rest of the field as she led from gun to tape to clinch her first Athletics Kenya (AK) national cross country titles. 

At the event held at Prisons Training College-Ruiru on Saturday 21 January, the Nagooya marathon champion put more than 30m between her and the chasing pack as early as the first of five loops. 

She maintained her lead and on the second and third loop, she was close to 50m ahead of the field with Valencia Marathon bronze medalist Sheila Chepkirui in toe. 

The Kenya Prisons athlete slowed down in the fourth loop and the gap between her and Chepkirui was considerably reduced to about 10m setting the stage for a spectacular finish. 

Chepngetich held on to win in 32:56 ahead of Chepkirui's 32:58 while 2021World Under-20 3000m silver medalist Zenah Jemutai clocked 33: 06 for third place. 

"I am happy gor this win. It was not easy but I decided to run from the front expecting others to follow so when they did not I decided to keep my pace going and test my body. 

In the third loop Chepkirui came close but I had to keep going and not concentrate on how she was running. This was a good test as I prepare to defend Nagooya marathon," Chepngetich said. 

On her part, Chepkirui who had finished fourth at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cross country two weeks ago held on for second. 

"It was not an easy race but I'm happy with second place. My endurance was put to test but I am happy with how my body responded as I was using this race to prepare for an upcoming marathon," Chepkirui offered. 

Meanwhile, the men's senior race came down to a dash for the tape with Charles Lokir out-dipping Isaac Kibet on the line to win in 29:16 separated from second place by milliseconds.

Dennis Kipngetich clocked 29:23 for third place.

"I am happy for this win, it has been a long time coming. I was here last month at the World Cross Country trials and managed ninth place missing out on the team so I was here to make amends. I am preparing for the Sirikwa Cross Country Championships and this was a good build up," said Lokir.