Home runner Celestine Biwott finishes third in Great Chepsaita Run

Ugandan runner, Loice Chepkwemoi, overcame tough opposition to win the senior women’s 10-kilometre race in the second edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run on Saturday in Chepsaita, Uasin Gishu County.

Chepkwemoi cut the tape in 34 minutes and 32 seconds, finishing ahead of Ethiopia’s Shimiles Mekides Molla who clocked 35:57, while Kenya’s Celestine Biwott finished third in 36:53.

The Great Chepsaita Run is a gold-label race in the World Athletics Cross Country Championship Tour.

Chepkwemoi, who juggles her training between Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet County, and Kapchorwa in Uganda, took the lead after the third lap and controlled it to the finish line in a total display of dominance.

In her post-race interview, Chepkwemoi said she had prepared well for the race but she knew Kenyan runners would pose a strong challenge so she had to come up with something special to emerge the winner.

“I thank my coach James Kwalia for giving me proper preparation for the race. We trained hard, and for long hours, that’s why I have won here. It is my first time competing in this race and, although the course was tough, I enjoyed it,” said Chepkwemoi.

Her next task is to prepare for the upcoming season as she aims to represent her country in the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

For her part, Biwott said she prepared well for the race and was glad to finish third in her first cross-country race of the season.

“Competing in Kenya alone is tough enough, and to have finished third here is no mean feat. I had prepared well for the race and my next target is the National Cross Country Championships in February. I want to finish on the podium on that as well,” said Biwott.