Report11 Nov 2001


Kipketer dedicates cross country victory to McDonald

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Sammy Kipketer (KEN) (© Getty Images)


Sammy Kipketer and Alice Timbilil won their races while veteran marathon runner Angeline Kanana was beaten to second place during the 11th Moi University Open Cross Country championships in the outskirts of Eldoret, Kenya, on Saturday.

Kipketer, who holds the world's best times over 5 and 10 km road races, won the men's 4 km race in 12:05, ahead of John Kosgei who timed 12:08 and Ezekiel Kemboi (12:17) during this annual cross country meeting which was dampened by news that leading British athletes representative Kim McDonald had died in Brisbane, Australia, last Wednesday.

"I have won this for Kim," declared Kipketer, silver medalist over same distance at the 'World Cross Country Championships in Villamoura, Portugal, last year and fourth this year in Ostend, Belgium.

Timbilil, winner over 3000 metres at World Youth Championships in Hungary, and silver medalist in Villamoura last year, won the 8km race in 27:58, beating Leah Malot to second place. Malot timed 28:06.

Salina Ruto won the women's 15 km race in 57:57 as Kanana, who won Cologne marathon in 1998, Hamburg marathon and Frankfurt marathon in 1997 and 1999 respectively followed in 59:41.

Chritopher Soket won the men's 15 km race in 44:40 ahead of Clement Kibor (44:48).

Elijah Kipsang won the men's 8km race in 30:01 while Enock Mitei won the 'blue ribband' race (12km) in 35:20.

The race was organised by Tecla Sang, head of the University's Physical Education Department, who won 800 metres gold medal at Edmonton Commonwealth Games in 1978.

The mood at the Chepkoilel campus, a few kilometres north of Eldoret, was heavy after the tragic news was broken of McDonald’s death, with athletes in groups discussing its ramifications.

"It is a tragic news for the entire athletics world, not just we Kenyans," declared Moses Kiptanui, who was McDonald's pointman in Kenya.

A big group of Kenyan athletes, represented by Kim, were due to leave early this week for the funeral.

Kiptanui declared that they intended to strengthen the stable and achieve all that McDonald had planned.

"We will remain intact and hope to fulfil all his wishes," Kiptanui said. In the meantime, Duncan Gaskell, who has been in charge of marathon, cross country and road running, Kiptanui and Ricky Simms will remain in charge of administration and Jimmy Bueattah in charge of coaching in Kenya.

Omulo Okoth for the IAAF

Selected Results:

Junior women (6km)

1    Fridah Domongole     19:54
2    Peninah Chepchumba 20:12
3    Sally Chepyego          20:56
Senior women (4km)
1    Pamela Anisomuk      14:43
2    Teresia Kipchumba    14:46
3    Consolata Chemtai     15:08
Senior women (8km)
1    Alice Timbilil               27:58
2    Leah Malot                 28:06
3    Pauline Chemel           28:38
Women's 15km
1    Salina Ruto                 57:57
2    Angeline Kanana        59:41
3    Naomi Chepchirchir   60:00
Junior men (8km)
1    Elijah Kipsang            30:01
2    Mike Kipyego            30:12
3    Wilson Chelanga        30:14
Senior men (4km)
1    Sammy Kipketer        12:05
2    John Kosgei               12:08
3    Ezekiel Kemboi          12:17
Senior men (12 km) 
1    Enock Mitei                35:20
2    Peter Rop                   35:55
3    Philip Kiptoge             36:09
Men's 15km
1    Christopher Soket       44:40
2    Clement Kibor            44:48
3    Moses Kiprotich         44:53

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