Half marathon world champion Sabastian Sawe and 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet Getich overcame stiff competition at the Kenya Cross Country Championships held at the Kenya Prison Officers College in Ruiru on Saturday (2nd). won the senior title.
The start of the men's senior race was a crowded one with more than 100 athletes starting, including Sawe, two-time world cross country champion Geoffrey Kamworor and U20 world cross country champion Ishmael Kipkirui.
The leading group remained compact until the first lap, after which Kamworor took command and shared the lead with Kipkirui. By the third lap of the course, which was full of bushes, hills, and tire obstacles, the lead group was down to eight riders, with Kamworor and Kipkirui still leading the pack, and Sawe at the back of the pack.
With half a kilometer to go, Sawe gained momentum and moved into the lead. The sprint finish was too strong and he finished in 28 minutes 39 seconds, with 2019 World U20 cross country bronze medalist Samwell Cheboley Masai in second place (28 minutes 39 seconds) and Gideon Rono on the podium (28 minutes 42 seconds). obtained.
Sawe, 27, now has her sights set on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade 24, where she hopes to improve on her seventh place finish last time out.
“The pace was too fast so I had to conserve my energy for the finish,” he said. “This competition was very tough. Every player was strong, which is why we were in a group for a long time.
“We will prepare well in the remaining weeks for Belgrade,” he added. “I will do my best this year as well.”
The senior women's race, started by cross country legend Paul Tergut, got off to a fast pace. It wasn't all that surprising considering the two fastest 10km runners in history were competing.
Agnes Jebet Getich and Emaculate Anyango Acholi, who clocked 28 minutes 46 seconds and 28 minutes 57 seconds respectively at the Valencia 10km in January, were joined in the early stages by world cross-country champions Beatriz Chebet and Lilian Cassite. The foursome quickly dropped the rest. of the field.
As the four women in the lead group took turns at the front, battling the hot sun and dry course, the gap between them and the rest continued to widen. On the final lap, Ngetich and Anyango ran side by side, with Chebet and Kasite close behind.
With about 400 meters to go, World cross-country bronze medalist Getich surged forward and Anyango gave chase. Ngetich won in 31:51 over Anyango (31:54) and Kassite (31:57).
“The race was very competitive and the sun was too hot,” Ngetich said. “It wasn't easy because the four of us are strong athletes. Beatriz Chebet, Emaculate Anyango, an athlete I have been running with for a long time, and Lilian Cassite are all strong.
“I’m so excited to be representing my country again,” she added. “We will fight to bring home a medal. If we can win a medal in Belgrade, it will give us motivation heading into the Olympics.”
“Being a world record holder puts extra pressure on you. But you have to give it your all and focus on the next challenge.”
In the U20 girls 6km event, Sheila Chebet won the event, defeating Deborah Chemtai in a time of 19 minutes 31 seconds to 19 minutes 32 seconds. Nancy Cherop placed third in 19:34.
In the U20 boys race, African U20 bronze medalist Samuel Kibasi won in 22 minutes 38 seconds ahead of Charles Rotich (22 minutes 39 seconds) and Matthew Kipruto (22 minutes 45 seconds).
The top six athletes in each race will be selected for the Kenyan team for the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade.
Michelle Katami of World Athletics
Key results
Senior female (10km)
1 Agnes Jebet Getich 31:51
2 Enmaculate Anyango Acholi 31:54
3 Lillian Cassite Lengeluk 31:57
4 Beatrice Chebet
5 Margaret Chelimo Kipkenboi
6 Cynthia Chepgeno
Senior male (10km)
1 Sabastian Thor 28:39
2 Samwell Cheboley Maasai 28:39
3 Gideon Lono 28:42
4 Jeffrey Kamworor
5 Benson Kiplangut
6 Ishmael Kipkirui
U20 Girls (6km)
1 Sheila Chebet 19:31
2 Deborah Chemtai 19:32
3 Nancy Chelop 19:34
U20 Boys (8km)
1 Samwell Kivati 22:38
2 Charles Rotich 22:39
3 Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto 22:45
