Beatrice Omwanza on her way to 2005 Turin Marathon win (© Lorenzo Sampaolo)
Turin Marathon winner Beatrice Omwanza, easily won the women’s 4km race, the overall headline result of the fourth Athletics Kenya weekend cross country meeting in this western Kenyan town today.
Omwanza, who was sixth in the Tokyo International Women's Marathon last month, beat veteran road runner, Jane Omoro, to the tape in 14:09 as the latter followed in 14:22.
The 31-year-old winner who was 29th in the World Championship Marathon in Helsinki this summer looked very comfortable, "I am in shape right now and busy preparing for the coming season,” said Omwanza.
Emmy Chepkurui won the junior women's 6km race in 20:40, followed by Joyce Chepkemoi in 20:57, while Chepkoech Mitei won a poorly attended women's senior 8km race in 28:51. Only eight runners took part in the event. Irene Mogaka was second in 29:31, as Alice Mogire took third place in 29:45.
Mangata Kimai Ndiwa, fifth in the junior men's race at the last World Cross Country Championships, won the junior men's race in 23:52, after fighting off stiff competition from newcomer, Gideon Ngatuny who timed 24:06. Ndiwa seemed to be running out of steam midway with Ngatuny close on his shoulder but he dug deeper in his reserves to take the race.
The highlight of the men's competitions was the senior men's 12km race which was won by 28-year-old James Kipketer, who was successful in Nyahururu two weeks ago. Kipketer beat homeboy Elijah Nyabuti to win in 36:51. Nyabuti, inspired by fanatic local support, followed in 36:52. Edward Muge was third in 37:06.
The three broke away from the main group at the halfway stage and exchanged the lead continuously until the final kilometre of the 12km race, when KIpketer and Nyabuti took off. With 100m to go to the finish, Nyabuti upped the tempo, as fans cheered him on but Kipketer had the last laugh as he had the stronger finish in the end.
Jones Cheruiyot won the senior men's 4km race in 11:38 with Paul Koech in second place in 11:43.
Former greats look on
The meeting was watched by, among others, former five-time World Cross Country champion, 'King' John Ngugi, former two-time silver medallist in the senior men's 12km race, Captain Paul Kipkoech, and former two-time World Junior Cross champion, Phillip Mosima.
Also in attendance were former Olympic Games 4x400m Relay champions, Charles Asati and Naftali Nyamau, who were the opening leg runners of Kenya’s triumphant squad in 1972.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
Leading results:
Men
4km
1. Jones Cheruiyot 11:38
2. Paul Koech 11:43
3. Frederick Yegon 11:43
4. Dennis Mokaya 11:56
5. Ben Kirui 12:01
6. Samson Kiplagat 12:06
12km
1. James Kipketer 36:51
2. Elijah Nyabuti 36:52
3. Edward Muge 37:06
4. David Chepterit 37:43
5. Luke Koskei 37:47
6. David Ruto 37:49
Junior 8km
1. Mangata Ndiwa 23:52
2. Gideon Ngatuny 24:06
3. Patrick Terer 24:19
4. Hilary Bii 24:40
5. Boaz Mayaka 24:40
6. Charles Sigei 24:42
Women
4km
1. Beatrice Omwanza 14:09
2. Jane Omoro 14:22
3. Jackline Kemunto 14:26
4. Elizabeth Wachira 14:43
5. Susan Nyaboke 14:51
6. Helen Obiri 15:13
8km
1. Chepkoech Mitei 28:51
2. Irene Mogaka 29:31
3. Alice Mogire 29:45
4. Diana Chepkemoi 30:04
5. Rael Michira 30:06
6. Chepngetich Koskei 30:39
Junior 6km
1. Emmy Chepkurui 20:40
2. Joyce Chepkemoi 20:57
3. Pascalia Chepkurui 21:14
4. Sheila Chepkurui 21:28
5. Irene Chepngetich 21:31
6. Joyline Chelangat 21:32
