L. MathekaWanyonyi, Chebet victorious in AK Cross-Country trials
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 10.12.22. | 12:04
The winners lead the team that will represent the country in the 2km relay at the global championship with the top three finishers in Ruiru automatically making the team with the fourth and fifth places in as reserves.
Former World Athletics Under-20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and his 1500m silver medalist counterpart Brenda Chebet are the Athletics Kenya (AK) cross country championship trials 2km winners.
The event hosted at the Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru aimed at selecting Team Kenya for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships set for Bathurst, Australia on 18 February next year.
The winners lead the team that will represent the country in the 2km relay at the global championship with the top three finishers in Ruiru automatically making the team with the fourth and fifth places in as reserves.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi wins the men's 2km in 05:23.8 Daniel Muunguti (05:24.8) was second in ahead of Mathew Kipsang (05:25.2) #akcrosscountrytrials #RunClean pic.twitter.com/Av9pKHanTO
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) December 10, 2022
Wanyonyi clocked 05:23.8 minutes to win the race ahead of Kenya Defence Forces' (KDF) Daniel Munguti who came home in 05:24.6. Mathew Kipsang completed the podium places in 05:25.2.
World indoor 800m silver medalists Noah Kibet and Amos Kiprotich finished in fourth and fifth places in 05:26.3 and 05:26.9 denying Abel Kipsang who came in sixth.
"I had a good race and the course was manageable. This was my third cross-country event this year as I was in Kapsokwony where I competed in 8km and Iten 2km to prepare for the trials.
I feel my body is responding well to training and since we have more time to ready before February, we will be in top shape for this. I am also using the Cross country as part of my preparations for next year's track events," offered Wanyonyi.
Brenda Chebet of National Police wins the women's 2km in 6min:04.4. Miram Cherop (06:07.7) Beatrice Finished second in 06:11.1. #akcrosscountrytrials #RunClean @mylottokenya @moscakenya pic.twitter.com/7kM1ARelqy
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) December 10, 2022
Meanwhile, Chebet clocked 06:04.4 to win the women's race ahead of Miriam Jerop (06:07.7) and World Steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech taking up the third spot in 06:11.1. Betty Chelangat and Celestine Jepkosgei took up the forth and fifth places.
"I got into cross country running this year and did two relays before today's 2km race and I am happy for this win. It gives me a second chance to represent the country at the global stage again and I am elated.
I am hoping we will have a strong team for the competition in February to bring the trophy home," Chebet said.
The fourth athlete in the relay teams will be selected by the federation in an attempt to field the best team possible.
.jpg)
