2019 All-Africa Games 5000m champion Robert Kiprop and Miriam Chebet emerged victorious in the 10km senior races during the third leg of the Athletics Kenya/Betika Cross Country Series held on Saturday at Kapsokwony in Bungoma County.
Kiprop’s win in the men’s 10km race came under dramatic circumstances after Kiplimo Mayebei Naibei, misdirected by course markers, sprinted ahead and crossed the finish line first, just as Kiprop was preparing to celebrate his anticipated victory.
After a review, officials corrected the error and declared Kiprop the rightful winner, both runners clocking 29:50. Peter Tuitoek Kibenei placed third in 29:56.
Looking ahead, Kiprop is set to renew his rivalry with Mayebei at the upcoming Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships on November 3.
His ultimate goal remains securing a spot on Team Kenya for the World Cross Country Championships scheduled for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
In the women’s senior 10km race, guest athlete Maryam Lufti Njoki of Qatar claimed first place in 33:49 as part of her training schedule.
However, Kenyan Miriam Chebet was officially crowned the winner with a time of 33:51. Christine Ntambi Kioko came in second (35:01), followed by Dorcas Tarus in third (35:14).
In the U20 women’s 6km race, Joyline Chepkemoi of Central Rift took the title in 20:29. Venenza Chebet of Western Region followed closely in 20:33, while North Rift’s Lonah Cherono finished third in 20:36.
The U20 men’s 8km event saw Emmanuel Kiprono dethrone the reigning champion and 2024 World U20 5000m gold medalist Andrew Alamisi. Kiprono crossed the line in 24:02, with Edwin Elkana second in 24:06 and Alamisi settling for third in 24:11.
