Cintia Chepng’eno surprised by Cross-country victory after 8 months injury layoff
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 04.11.24. | 15:54
Speaking after the race, the 24-year-old revealed that she did not expect to win, as she was primarily there to test her fitness after the lengthy injury break
Kenya Defence Forces’ athlete Cintia Chepng’eno is over the moon after returning to action following a lengthy muscle injury which was sustained during the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade back in March.
She has since been taking it slow, hoping to get back to competition soon. Her first race was the third leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) annual Cross-country series in Iten where she emerged victorious in 34:27:4.
Her time of 34:27.4 put her just ahead of Cardiff Half Marathon champion Miriam Chebet (34:28.5) and world half marathon bronze medalist Catherine Reline (34:29.7).
Speaking after the race, the 24-year-old revealed that she did not expect to win, as she was primarily there to test her fitness after the lengthy injury break.
“I have been out for a while…since the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, where I suffered a muscle injury. I did not expect to win; in fact, I came to test my fitness levels, so winning today is a pleasant surprise,” she said.
Chepng’eno spoke highly of the tough competition in the race, noting that her victory came as a surprise given the presence of top athletes like World Road Running Championships Bronze medalist Catherine Reline.
“The competition was very tough indeed. I did not expect to win it. Looking at the start list and seeing Reline’s name, I knew it was going to be competitive. It was a sprint to the finish, and I took my chance,” she revealed.
As she continues to regain her form, Chepng’eno is focusing on improving her speed in training.
“I want to go and work on my speed because that’s one area I feel need to improve. My focus is on getting better; I’m not thinking about upcoming competitions yet. I am not sure if I’ll compete in the other legs of the series—I’ll discuss that with my coach,” she shared.
In the premier 10km Senior Men’s event, Robert Kiprop Koech of the Police team took top honours, finishing in a remarkable 30:38.7. North Rift’s Asbel Kiprop Kiprono followed closely with a time of 30:47.7, while teammate Vincent Kiptoo completed the podium with a 31:20.4 finish.
Aphaxzard Kimutai from KDF clocked 31:21.5 to take fourth place, and Victor Kipruto Kiprono from North Rift secured fifth with 31:33.0.
