*Undated
Africa U18 3000m champion Emmanuel Kiplagat and Esther Borura were the winners of the first Athletics Kenya Cross Country Championships that were held on Saturday 6th at the Machakos People’s Park in Machakos County.
Following the postponement of the races to mourn the late Agnes Jebet Tirop, action resumed and Kiplagat took on his closest challenger and he beat him hands down as he cut the tape in 29:40.07 with Vincent Kipkurui coming home second in 29:42.2. Fredrick Domongele closed the first three podium finishes in 30:08.0. The 2020 Summer Olympian Leonard Bett finished in a distant fifth in a time of 30:25.8.
The soft-spoken Kiplagat, who trains in Torongo, Baringo County, said the win is a motivation for him to work even harder in the season. "The race was good, I enjoyed it although the weather was hot. I will be heading to Japan to take part in some races. I am looking forward to a good season," said Kiplagat.
His long-term plan is to represent Kenya during the 2024 Paris Olympics Games. The athlete said that he will start preparing immediately. “My future plan is to represent Kenya at the Olympic Games in the 10,000m race.I have to start early preparations. Kenya has not won an Olympic gold medal in the men’s race during the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games and that needs to change," added Kiplagat.
Borura, who clocked 34:07.4, said that she did not expect to win the race because it was competitive. She was followed in second place by Caren Chebet (34:28.52) while Valentine Jepkoech was third in 34:47:47.
Borura said that she last competed during the 2017 East Africa School Games before joining the Kenya Defence Forces. "I have been out of competition for a long time, and it's a good start. I was gauging myself, I'm happy with the results and the encouragement I received from senior athletes with whom I train with in Ngong, Kajiado County," said Borura.
In the men's 8km junior category, Gideon Rono sprinted to the finish line, winning in 23:29.6 ahead of Parken Gasha who timed 23:42.4 while Gideon Kipngetich was third in 23:48.4.In junior women, Janet Jepkoech was the victor in a time of 20:50.6 beating Sharon Chepngetich to second in 21:12.5 and Yvone Chepchirchir finishing in third in 21:20.7.
LEADING RESULTS
10KM SENIOR MEN
1.Emmanuel Kiplagat -29:40.7
2.Vincent Kipkurui -29:42.2
3.Fredrick Domongele – 30:08.8
4.Kipsambut Kimakal -30:10.7
5.Leonard Bett – 30:25.8
10KM SENIOR WOMEN
1.Esther Borura – 34:04.4
2.Caren Chebet – 34:28.5
3.Valentine Jepkoech -34:47.4
4.Agnes Mumbua – 34:53.8
5.Beatrice Chepkemoi- 35:03.3