TRIALS’ PREPS HOT UP: Counties and regions fashion squads for national selections

There were mixed results at the counties and regional cross country championships staged across the country yesterday.

In Iten, former Commonwealth Youth Games 3,000 metres champion Gladys Chesir and Wycliffe Biwott won the Elgeyo Marakwet county cross country championships senior races. Their wins set the stage for the North Rift Championships to be held at the same venue on Saturday.

Chesir won the race easily opening a 500m tape ahead of Brigid Chepchirchir and charity Chemeli. Reigning world junior 3,000 metres steeplechase champion Daisy Chepkemei, competing against her sister and 2011 World Youth steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto, won the 6km junior women while Mathew Kimeli ruled in 8km junior men race.

In Nairobi, Africa cross country champion Moses Letoyie Mukono and Lucy Wambui won 12km men and 8km women’s races at Posta Grounds along Nairobi’s Ngong Road.

LOROT WON

In the junior category, African cross country silver medalist Andrew Lorot of Riruta Central Secondary School and Eunice Cherono, representing Langata region, emerged victorious. Mukono won in 32:45.6 while Abel Rop (33:44.0) and Hillary Maiyo (33:16.0) followed. Nicholas Kamacha, who was using the race to prepare for the Premier Rak Half Marathon in Dubai on February 13 came fourth in 33:31.8.

“I prepared well for this race, I’m ready to challenge the big boys at the national trials where I hope for a top four finish,” said Mukono who graduated to the senior ranks few months ago.

Nyandarua-based Lucy Wambui took the women’s in 25:51.4 with her close challenger, Jane Murage coming in 26:00.6. Jedidah Kanogu was third in 26:201. In Kisii, Joseph Chacha and Damaris Arena won the Kisii County cross country championships on Friday.

BEAT ELITE RUNNERS

Chacha won in 36:00.0 as Robert Saweyo (36:56.34) and Fredrick Morang’a (36:57.20). Sammy Nyogayo (36:57.30), Domnic Korir (39:15.90) and Justus Omete (39:22.34) followed. The South Nyanza regional championships will be held at the Kisii Golf Club on Friday.

Peris Chepchirchir and Amos Kiplimo Mitei will be back for another shot at the titles at the Discovery Kenya half marathon run in Eldoret this morning.

In Kericho, William Malel of Bomet clocked 36.25.1 to win the men’s 12km race during the South Rift Cross Country Championships at Kericho Teachers Training College yesterday. Isaac Langat of Kericho came second in 36.34 ahead of teammate Bernard Kipkurui (36.40.6).

Sheila Chepngetich who is the IAAF Cross country champion emerged the winner of the women’s 8km race after she clocked 28.48. Caroline Kilel of Kericho was second in 29.07.2 ahead of Faith Chepngetich of Nakuru (29.52.1). In the 6km junior women, Roseline Chepngetich of Nakuru lifted the title in 20.28.3 and was followed by Iveen Chepkemoi of Kericho20.28.4 and teammate Eva Cherono 20.29.0

-Reports by Jonathan Komen, Dennis Okeyo and Ben Ahenda in Kericho.