Togom prevails

By Joseph Ngure

Africa cross country Bronze medallist Nicholas Togom confirmed he is the man to beat in the senior men 12km race this season when he chalked up his second win in as many attempts in Saturday’s KCB/AK Cross Country meeting at the Chepkoilel University College.

Athletes compte in the 12km cross country race at Chepkoilel University College in Eldoret yesterday. Nicholus Togom from Kapsabet won in 30.46.3. Photo: Maarufu Mohamed/Standard

Running under misty weather the athletes braved a slippery and muddy course with Togom, 19, proving to be a heir in waiting to the throne vacated by his elder brother Mathew Kisorio, who has moved up to the marathon and road racing.

Togom did not need support of his more experienced opponents to rule in the senior men 12km category, sounding strong warning that he will be the man to beat come the national trials to select the team to the Africa cross country championships in march.

As a front-runner, Togom, also the winner of the opener in Tala, Kangundo last Saturday, mastered the shorter course spread across the playing field, wadding through a maize plantation and controlled an elite group that included Defence Forces’ Joseph Ebuya, the World cross country 12km champion in 2010, completing in 30:46.3.

Emerging talent

Little known Timothy Kiptoo had no respected for African 10,000 metres champion Wilson Kiprop as he beat the him to take the runners up position in 30:49.2 in the event that had attracted 265 competitors.

Kiprop timed 31:02.8 ahead of Edwin Kibet (31:07.2) and Josphat Kamzee who clocked 31:17.2. Steeplechaser Linus Chumba and Hillary Kipchumba were 6th and 7th in 31:20.6 and 31:22.8.

Togom is now well placed to fight for the Sh1.2 million jackpot after registering back-to-back wins. He now needs any placing in the last meeting in Kisii on January 7 to claim a share of the jackpot.

"I am very comfortable running cross-country. I want to improve my rating this year and my sight is on the continental title if I will make the team back to South Africa," said the former Kosirai High School student, also brother to Mathew Kisorio, who has since moved to road racing.

New faces emerged in the senior women race where little known Phanencier Jemutai beat another upstart Farida Chelagat by a narrow margin. Jemutai, coached by former World 10,000 metres bronze winner Moses Masai, finished in 23:29.5.

Jelagat managed 23:37.5 followed by former junior 3,000 and 5,000 metres champion Beatrice Jepchumba who arrived after 23:44.4. The class had 60 participants. Lucy Kabuu snatched the title in Kangundo last week.

In the junior races, Chepkorir Kipkoech, the ninth finisher at the world cross country championships in Punta Umbria, and Lille World Youth 3,000 metres champion William Malel ruled the roost. The 6km champion clocked 17:24.9, leading newcomer Agnes Jebet (17:34.8) and Nancy Chepkemoi (17:41.4) who was sixth in Spain.