Jeptoo, kiprop reign: Boston marathon champ settles for third position

By Joseph Ngure  and Brian Moseti

Bedan Karoki sprints away from Wilson Kiprop (39) during the Discovery Kenya cross country meeting in Eldoret on Sunday. [PHOTO: JOSEPH NGURE/STANDARD]

London marathon champion Priscah Jeptoo edged out Rita Jeptoo, the Boston marathon winner and Jemima Sumgong, second in Chicago  to clinch the Discovery Kenya cross-country race on Sunday in Eldoret.

Jeptoo was eyeing to gauge her sprint ahead of her title defence in London on April 13.

But it was not the case for Japan-based Bedan Karoki, who lost out to former World Half Marathon champion Wilson Kiprop. Braving sunny rays and stiff rivalry in the 10km race, Kiprop, the 2010 Africa 10,000m champion, clocked 28:39.9 after he utelised his long strides to out-sprint Karoki (29:00.1) having trailed him from the halfway mark.

“I knew Karoki had the chance of sprinting away from me. That is why I did not allow him to go far. We kept on exchanging the lead for the last 5km,” said Kiprop.

Stanley Biwott (29:32.3) and Joseph Kitur (29:38.9) finished third and fourth.

In Women, Jeptoo, who is preparing for London Marathon title defence in April, pulled a surprise on Sumgong who had enjoyed the front lead to win the 6km in 19:58.8.

Fitness levels

“It was a good race for me. I have intensified my preparations for London and I was using this to test my speed. I am feeling good and hope to retain the title in London,” said Jeptoo.

Event defending champion Rita Jeptoo, also Boston and Chicago marathon champion, was relegated to third place in 20:19.5 behind second finisher Sumgong timed at 20:09.8.

Emmanuel Bett destroyed a strong field to win the 8km junior men’s race timed at 23:51.7. He beat more than 530 contestants as Alfred Bargach (23:56.3) and Nyahururu-based James Mwangi (24:13.7) settled for second and third places respectively.

In the junior women’s 6km race, Lilian Kasait ruled the roost taking just 20:15.26. Caroline Chepkoech (20:35.9) and Miriam Muthoni (20:46.8) followed in second and third.

Big entry

The annual race is organised by Italian agent Rosa and Associates and had support from Paramount Bank  and Nike Inc. Over 2,900 athletes, an improvement from last year’s 2,184, participated in the 10 different categories.

In Kakamega, Benson Kiptoo from Malava Secondary School clocked 32:04:81 minutes to win the 12km senior men’s cross country race at Mukumu Boys’ grounds on Saturday.

Wycliffe Agenge from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)was second in 34:11:79. David Lenges also from MMUST settled for third spot after taking 33:18:26.

In the 8km Junior men’s category, Erick Walemba from Makunga Secondary won in 20:20:08 ahead of Mung’anya Darius from Bushiangala Secondary School (20:28:98) and  Shadrack Kiptoo (20:39:68).

The ladies cadre saw Brenda Kabeya from Kakamega Central winning the 8km senior women’s race in 24:28:13 ahead of Margret Shikuku from Namushinga Secondary (27:04:41) and Celestine Busolo, third in 31:53:86.

The junior women’s 6km race was won by Grace Chilali from Tande Girls in 19:55:48 edging out Bushiangala Secondary School’s Electine Shikokoti 20:17:44 while Dorcas Wateba of Lirhanda Girls’ was third in 21:00:26.