L. MathekaUnder-20 stars Cherotich, Kiplagat open season with commanding victory at Lobo
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 22.01.22. | 13:33
The X-country event had brought together athletes from all AK branches doing battle fornational titles.
In a thrilling exchange of leads, World Under 20 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich, made use of her finishing power to claim the girls U20 6km title at the Athletics Kenya (AK) national cross country championship held on Saturday 22 January at Lobo Village, Uasin Gishu.
The 16-year old had stayed with the leading pack that had her South Rift teammates Purity Chepkirui and Grace Loibach until the last lap where she unleashed a strong finishing kick to win in 20:28.4.
The 2022 AK National Cross Country Championships underway at Lobo Village in Eldoret. May the best win. pic.twitter.com/8cdBixUYiB
— erick ochieng (@enriqueoyugi) January 22, 2022
Chepkirui settled for second place in 20:34.8 as Loiback came third in 21:07.0.
"I am excited for this win in my first national cross country," Cherotich said. "It was a tough race but my coach, Bernard Rono, had helped me prepare for the competition expected. This win gives me the confidence to go for another win at the World event.
Additionally, my season has just begun and the cross country events are part of my preparations for track competitions. I am looking to make Team Kenya to these World Under-20 games in Cali, Colombia where I will be eyeing to improve my bronze to gold."
World Under 20 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich has claimed the girls U20 6km title
— BARNABA KORIR OFFICIAL (@KorirOfficial) January 22, 2022
"I want to Thank God for the win and my coach for the preparations. It was a tough but I was ready," said Cherotich#Nationalcrosscountry22 pic.twitter.com/UZzFOJNkwj
In the men's Under 20 category, World Under 20 5000m champion Benson Kiplagat was peerless as he improved his silver from the 2021 national cross country championship to gold.
"I am preparing for the track season as I eye a place in team Kemya to Colombia for the World Under 20 championship where I hope to defend my title. My coach thought it fit to test my training with an event as competitive as this and I am happy that I endured to the finish," said Kiplagat after the race.
Meanwhile, Charles Rotich romped to victory in the boys' Under-18 6km race after overtaking leader and team mate Vincent Maiyo in the last 200m to win in 19:05.2.
Raphael Dapash came in second after he also overtook Maiyo, clocking 18:10.0. Maiyo settled for third in 18:18.4.
The first race of the morning, 5km for the girls under 18 is underway#Nationalcrosscountry22 pic.twitter.com/sS70U4Cu37
— BARNABA KORIR OFFICIAL (@KorirOfficial) January 22, 2022
"It was a tough race but I thank God I have won. My plan is to train harder for the track season," said Rotich, a Form Two student at Kapkecha Secondary School, West Pokot under coach Edward Moti.
In the girls' 5km Under-18 race, Pamela Kosgei, the younger sister to marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, clocked 18:19.4 to win. Maureen Jepkoech settled for second place in 18:34.6 while Evaline Chepkoech came third in 18:43.7.
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