Kenya Cross Country Meeting (© Peter Njenga for the IAAF)
Former 3000 metres steeplechase world junior champion Raymond Yator, who has had a lean period since 2001, bounced back on Saturday to win the men's short course race with a deadly kick too fast for the opposition during the season opening Kenyan cross country meeting at an open ground in the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi.
Yator who could not qualify for the Paris world championships due to poor form, opened up in the last 1,000m on a flat, dry and bumpy course to claim pole position in 10 minutes 20 seconds. Second placed Sammy Kiplagat was nine seconds adrift and little known Christopher Kipyego third in 10:42.0.
"I have not had a good season," said Yator. "However, I will try my hand at cross country and see whether my fortunes will change for the better this season which is very important to me as it is an Olympic year."
He is feeling his peers like Eliud Kipchoge, the 5000 metres world champion, have realised their goals right on schedule at senior levels while he languishes behind, having finished seventh at the steeple in the 2001 Goodwill games two years ago.
In the absence of top Kenyans who have taken a break after a long and demanding season, the senior men's long race was not without some notable results.
The winner Nelson Kiplagat, a self trained athlete without a coach, was 45th in the Kenyan nationals this year; on Saturday, a hot and cloudy day, he easily beat an impressive entry of 198 athletes in 33:34.00 after outsprinting another up and coming athlete, Simon Mutai (33:36.0). The two proved overwhelmingly superior to third placed David Kilel, third in the nationals at the short course race and eighth in the worlds in the short course.
The winner of the Eheilzor 8k road race in the French capital, Paris last year, Kilel said that by beginning the season early, his intentions are to go all the way to the Brussels. His next stop is Machakos, host town of Athletics Kenya's second of six meetings, in two weeks.
His second goal in to at least win in three races including the finals in Eldoret to qualify for a share of the US$15,000 jackpot, the richest in Kenya's cross country programme.
Elizabeth Rumokal, fourth in the national trials last year, beat Monica Wangare to second place in 25:12.0 in the senior women's 8km race. However, Jane Ngotho who started her cross country career 16 years ago still displayed tenacity in finishing fifth albeit 92 seconds behind the winner. Ngotho is a consistent runner in the United States road circuit.
“The meeting went on as planned,” national athletics head coach Mike Kosgei said, pleased by the high turnout. "We shall use these meetings to build the endurance and strength of our athletes and at the close of the season maybe discover another Eluid Kipchoge," he said.
Results
Senior men 12km: 1, Nelson Kiplagat, Individual, 33:34.0; 2. Simon Mutai, Ngong, 33:36.0; 3. David Kilel, Bondeni, 33:43.0; 4. Samuel Kalya, Ngong, 34:04.0.
Senior men 4km: 1. Raymond Yator, Individual, 10:20.0; 2. Sammy Kiplagat, Individual, 10:31.0; 3. Christopher Kipyego, 10:42.0; 4. Suleiman Simotwo, Police, 10:45.0.
Junior men 8km: 1. Stanley Muiruri, Individual, 21:57.0; 2. Moses Masai, Hidden Talent, 22:00.0; 3. Philip Biwott, Hidden Talent, 22:11.0; 4. Isaac Kinyua, Mfae, 22:12.0.
8km senior women: 1. Elizabeth Rumokal, Fila, 25:12.0; 2. Monica Wangare, Mfae, 25:20.0; 3. Jane Omoro, Telkom, 26.10; 4. Catherine Kirui, 26:28.0.
Senior women 4km: 1. Nancy Wamboi (Mfae) 12:25.0; 2. Milka Kiptoo, Fila, 12:28.0; 3. Mary Wachuka, Mfae, 12:47.0; 4. Monica Watetu, 13:08.0.
Junior women 6km: 1. Pauline Chemaring, Fila, 18:39.0; 2. Teresia Wangui, Mfae, 18:51.0; 3. Margaret Wangare, Mfae, 18:57.0; 4. Mercy Wanjiru, Mfae, 19:21.0.
