The 1500 metres Olympic athlete Edina Jebitok trounced 96 others in 10-kilometre senior women cross-country championship in 181 stadiums in Sotik town.
Jebitok from Nandi County clocked 29:21. 1 beating Beatrice Chebet from Kericho who ran for 30: 04.5 in a tight race that saw Nelly Cheptoo from the National Police Service coming third with 30.6seconds.
The national event also attracted a record of 239 men who participated in the 10-kilometre senior race that was won by Emmanuel Langat from Torongo, Baringo by clocking 33:03.7 to beat Daniel Simiyu from Iten by 1.3 seconds, while Josphat Kiprotich from the National Police Service came in close in the third position at 33:05.5.
The Sotik Cross-Country, the last event in a series in 2021 championships series that began in October at Machakos County, also attracted under 18 boys and girls in five, six- and eight-kilometres competitions.
With 21:16.2, Kipngetich Gideon narrowly beat Dennis Kipkirui (21:16.5), both from Keringet Nakuru, while Shadrack Chirchir hailing from Kamwon, Keiyo came in third clocking 21:23.4.
In the 6KM junior women category, Faith Cherotich, from Kericho, beat two Ugandans Deborah Chemutai and Grace Loibach, while the men’s championship in the same category was won by Dennis Ngetich from Bomet who defeated Mathew Koech from Mau, Nakuru and Ismael Kirui from Kitilit, Baringo who came in second and third place respectively.
Athletics Kenya President (Rtd) Major Jackson Tuei, said the athletes were happy with the way the event was organized saying, going into 2022, he hoped the covid-19 purge would subside to allow planned events including February 12 Eldoret World Cross-Country Tour, the newest event in Africa, Kenya was privileged to host.
Source: Kenya News Agency