Little-known Kiprop, Chirchir win Ol Kalou Cross Country

It was newcomers’ haven when Emmanuel Kiprop from Nyahururu and Kerigent’s Everline Chirchir reigned supreme in the last leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Kiprop, who hails from Elite Sports Management Centre (ESMC), made his intentions known when he broke away with two laps to go after a thrilling three-horse battle at the front in the men’s 10km race.

Kiprop would chest the finishing tape in 29 minutes and 44.2 seconds, beating Elphas Cheboi from Elgeyo Marakwet and Iten’s Weldon Kipkirui, who finished second and third in 29:47.5 and 29:50.3 respectively.

“It was a beautiful race and after some exchange, I decided to take off with two laps to test Cheboi and Kipkurui and it worked...I looked stronger,” said Kiprop, who was competing for the first time since the Kip Keino Classic on October 3 last year where he failed to finish the 5,000m race owing to a calf injury.

Kiprop now turns his focus to the upcoming regional cross country and national cross country championships before the track season. “I want to see if I will make it to the three major events this year,” said Kiprop.

Kiprop singled out the Africa Cross Country Championships slated for March 6 in Lome, Togo, Africa Senior Championships planned for June 1-5 in Algiers and the Tokyo Olympic Games from July 23 to August 8.

Chirchir tore the course at the People’s Park and the field in 33:33.4 to leave another Elgeyo Marakwet athlete Caroline Chepkoech battling for second place in 33:37.5 with youngster Edinah Jebitok from Kapkaimur coming in third in 33:45.4.

Ol Kalou’s event was the last in Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series that started in Machakos on November 28 and Mosoriot, Nandi County on December 19.

It now paves way for Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships on January 15 at the Ngong Racecourse followed by the Kenya Prisons Service Cross Country Championships the following day at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru.

All the counties will stage their cross country events on January 16 before the Kenya Defence Forces Cross Country Championships on January 29 at Moi Air Base and regional Championships on January 30.

The National Cross Country Championships is planned for February 13 in Kisii where a national team will be picked for the Africa Cross Country Championships.

Collated results from Ol Kalou

Men's 10km

1. Emmanuel Kiprop (ESMC) 29:44.2

2. Elphas Cheboi (Elgeyo Marakwet) 29:47.5

3. Weldon Kipkurui (Iten) 29:50.3

4. Collins Koros (KDF) 29:51.1

5. Ronald Kirui (Keringet) 29:54.4

6. Bernard Kipkemboi (Keringet) 30:01.3

7. Joseph Karanja (KDF) 30:07.8

8. Leonard Bett (Bomet) 30:14.0

9. Vincent Mutai (KDF) 30:16.5

10. Vincent Kipkurui (Bomet) 30:23.8

Women's 10km

1. Everyline Chirchir (Keringet) 33:33.4

2. Caroline Chepkoech (Marakwet) 33:37.5

3. Edinah Jebitok (Kapkaimur) 33:45.4

4. Agnes Jebet (Kamusor) 35:58.6

5. Daisy Cherotich (Kapsabet) 34:08.5

6. Beatrice Chebet (Londiani) 34:15.1

7. Teresia Omosa 34:40.3

8. Susan Chebet (NBS) 34:49.4

9. Monicah Ngigi (ESMI) 35:01.9

10. Mercy Chepkorir (Londiani) 35:11.4

Men’s Under-20 8km

1. Gedion Rono (Torongo) 23:29.3

2. Shadrack Kipchirchir  23:52.5

3. Emmanuel Kiplangat (Torongo) 24:00.1

4. Joseph Waweru (Ngong) 24:02.0

5. Gedion Kipng'etich (Keringet) 24:16.5

6. David Chungea 24:17.0

7. Leakey Kamuna (Ndumbi) 24:18.0

8. Nelson Mandela (Ndumbi0 24:18.6

9. James Mwanzia (Machakos) 24:39.1

10. Dennis Korir (Mau) 24:42.6

Women’s Under-20 6km

1. Felisiana Jepkorir (iten) 20:08.8

2. Purity Chepkurui (Tiloa) 20:11.1

3. Judy Chepkoech (Tiloa) 20:19.3

4. Isia Chelangat (Londiani) 20:26.6

5. Maureen Cherotich (Keringet) 20:27.4

6. Grace Labach (Marakwet) 20:44.1

7. Cynthia Chemng'eno (Keringet) 20:55.1

8. Deborah Chemutai (Kapkoimur) 21:02.8

9. Ednah Chepkemoi (Keringet) 21: 08.7

10. Beatrice Cheburet 21:13.9