Wilberforce Talel (706) wins Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold. (© Getty Images)
The race for next weekend’s National Cross Country Championships entered the home stretch as Kenyan provincial championships took place over Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 February.
Summary - Hosea Macharyang reinforced his dominance of the current domestic season as he won the 12km men’s race in North Rift, James Meli surprised the crowd with a powerful victory in the Nairobi meeting, while Robert Sigei won in South Rift. Gideon Ngatuny was victorious in Nyanza South, while Samuel Kiplimo won in Nyanza North. In Central, Japan-based former world junior 10,000m record holder Samuel Wanjiru reigned supreme.
NAIROBI
In Nairobi, 2002 Commonwealth 10,000m champion Wilberforce Talel trailed in ninth position after clocking 41:38 seconds. Talel, who also won 12km bronze at the 2002 World Cross Country Championships, has just resumed training and is fighting to regain his form. James Meli won the race in 41:07 and was followed in the second place by Willy Mwangi in 41:13. David Kilel clocked 41:17 to finish third.
There was light moment in the junior men’s 8km and women’s 8km as a dog paced the runners for over 1.5km. Gilbert Langat won the junior men’s race in 26.59, and Eunice Chepkorir took the honours in the women’s 8km race in 30:42.
NORTH RIFT VALLEY
Hosea Macharnyang won the senior men’s 12km race in 37:23 ahead of Moses Kigen who clocked 37:49 and Ezekiel Melly, who finished in 37:50. The event held in Baringo saw World Junior 3000m champion Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru drop out due to the high humidity. Florence Kiplagat, World Junior 5000m silver medallist won the senior women’s race in 28:35.
SOUTH RIFT
Robert Sigei ran to victory in the men’s 12km race, clocking 35:26 ahead of Wilfred Taragon, who timed 35:39 at Eldama Ravine. Charles Sigei was third in 35:55. Mercy Cherono won the junior women’s 6km race in 20:06.
CENTRAL
Samuel Wanjiru romped to victory in the senior men’s race in event held at Karatina. Mary Wacera won the women’s 6km race while her Mfae Club training partner Veronica Njeri was second.
NYANZA NORTH
Samuel Kiplimo cruised to victory in the Nyanza North championships in Kisumu. He clocked 38:51 ahead of Philemon Boit who timed 39:07 and Elias Kiptum who finished in 39:10.
Nancy Chebet won the women’s 8km in 31:13 to beat Mercy Too who followed in 31:16 as Jane Barmao finished third in 32:11.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
LEADING RESULTS
NAIROBI
12km senior men
1.James Meli 41.02
2.Willy Mwangi 41:13
3.David Kilele 41:17
4.Paul Kemboi 41:21
5.Julius Serem 41:22
8km junior men
1.Gilbert Langat 26:59
2.Jonathan Muyia 27:01
3.Philemon Kipchumba 27:01
4.Leonard Oloitiptip 27:03
5.Justin Kipchumba 27:08
8Km senior women
1.Nelly Chebet 21:19
2.Cynthia Cherop 23:46
3.Muthee Mutua 23:58
4.Helen Obiri 24:03
5.Mbithe Muli 24:10
6km women
1.Eunice Chepkorir 30:42
2.Magdalene Syombua 30:01
3.Esther Chemutai 32:15
4.Joyce Mwende 32:26
5.Pauline Njeri 32:41
NORTH RIFT
12km senior men
1. Hosea Macharnyang 37:23
2. Moses Kigen 37:49
3. Ezekiel Melly 37:50
4. James Keter 37:55
5. Julius Too 37:56
8km junior men
1. Vincent Kiprop 24:44
2. Charles Chebet 21:19
3. Leonard Cheptoo 25:01
4. Asbel Kiprop 25:10
5. Peter Kosgei 25:16
8km senior women
1. Florence Kiplagat 28:15
2. Gladys Kemboi 28:19
3. Pamela Chephumba 28:35
4. Ann Cheptanui 29:45
5. Florence Jepkosgei 29:06
6km junior women
1. Cheptai Chebet 21:19
2. Pamela Lisoreng 21:28
3. Linet Masai 21:29
4. Jepkorir Kipketer 21:30
5. Delvin Meringor 21:30
SOUTH RIFT
Senior men
1. Robert Sigei 35:26
2. Wilfred Taragon 35:39
3. Charles Sigei 35:55
8km junior men
1. Edwin Kipkorir 23:48
2. Joseph Mwaniki 23:56
3. Hilary Langat 24:07
8km senior women
1. Caroline Chepkwony 27:17
2. Beatrice Chepngeno 28:04
3. Pascaline Chepkorir 28:14
6km junior women
1. Mercy Cherono 20:06
2. Jackline Chebii 20:11
3. Agnes Chebet 20:13
CENTRAL
12km senior men
1.Samuel Wanjiru 33:45
2.John Thuo 34:13
3.Harun NJoroge 34:21
8km junior men
1.Vincent Yator 22:39
2.Charles Korir 22:42
3.Samuel Mwangi 22:45
8km senior women
1. Linet Chepkurui 25:58
2. Jane Gatunyi 26:13
3. Monica Wangare 26:33
6km junior women
1. Mary Wacera 19:48
2. Veronica Njeri 19:50
3. Catherine Wanjiru 19:50
NYANZA NORTH
12km senior men
1.Samuel Kiplimo 38:51
2.Philemon Boit 39:07
3.Elias Kiptum 39:10
4.John Korir 39:16
5.Joel Kipruto 40:24
8km junior men
1.Victor Bitok 25:46
2.Joseph Kiplimo 25:47
3.Bethwel Naja 26:07
4.Eliud Lagat 26:25
5.Hilary Birgen 26:40
8km senior women
1.Nancy Chebet 31:13
2.Mercy Too 31:16
3.Jane Barmao 32:11
4.Winnie Tanui 32:44
5.Agnes Chepchumba 33:10
6km junior women
1. Monica Chepchir 22:29
2. Dasina Chepkoge 22:52
3. Beatrice Chelagat 23:40
4. Ruth Cheptoo 24:12
5. Elizabeth Tanui 24:57
NYANZA SOUTH
12km SENIOR MEN
1. Gideon Ngatuny 35:57
2. Festus Lagat 37:01
3. Wesley Ochoro 37:03
4. Boaz Mayaka 37:36
5. Benson Ole Nkerei 37:41
8km JUNIOR MEN
1. Isaiah Ondieki 24:24
2. Leonard Lagat 24:35
3. Joseph Onsarigo 24:40
4. Justus Mogere 24:45
5. Stephen Arita 24:45
8km SENIOR WOMEN
1. Evelyn Kimwei 27:40
2. Phyllis Ongori 27:51
3. Alice Mogire 29:18.
4. Jackline Nyangeri 29:22
5. Eunice Orwaru 29:37
6km JUNIOR WOMEN
1. Jane Onyang’i 21:48
2. Judith Ngatuny 22:17
3. Elda Kona 22:37
4. Rose Moroga 22:46
5. Lydia Ongubo 22:50
