NAIROBI, Kenya, January 11, 2025 – Three-time Valencia Half Marathon champion Kibiwott Kandie is looking forward to better things in 2025 after a glorious start to the year at Friday’s Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Cross Country Championships at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Kandie is confident his performance at the championships are a sign of things to come after a tough time in 2024.
“I am happy and grateful to have started my season with a win. It can only mean great things. This is always a very competitive event,” the Embakassi Garisson Bombadier said.
The former world half marathon record holder clocked 29:24.8 to cut the tape, ahead of Wajir Air Base’s Wisley Yego (29:28.7) and Kahawa Garisson’s Wilson Too (29:47.7), who finished second and third respectively.
He described his victory as a product of discipline and hard work in training, in the months leading up to Friday’s competition.
“I have been working hard, especially on power training as well as hill work and slope sprints. I believe in going the extra mile in training if you are to achieve success,” Kandie said.
The 28-year-old will be keeping his fingers crossed that the season will not pan out as the previous one where he also began on a high note before withering out at the end.
Kandie began 2024 with victory at the Barcelona Half Marathon on February 11, clocking 59:22 to claim top honour.
However, that was his last podium finish of the year, following disappointing outcomes at the Prefontaine Classic and the Berlin Marathon in May and September respectively.
The 2020 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon champion timed 26:58.97 to finish an underwhelming sixth in Oregon before finishing 13th in the German capital after clocking 2:06:46.
Setting loftier targets
Meanwhile, Praha 10km champion Diana Chepkorir is eyeing a transition to the 10,000m where she hopes to make Team Kenya and win medals.
“I look up to Faith (Kipyegon) and Chebet (Beatrice) a lot. This year, I want to test myself in the women’s 10,000m and hopefully I can make Team Kenya and even win medals for the country,” the Ngong-based runner said.
The 3000m steeplechase specialist, was speaking after winning the women’s race, clocking….to cut the tape ahead of Ljubljana Marathon champion Joyce Chepkemoi (33:16.4) and the 2021 London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei (33:27.2) in second and third, respectively.
It was a win that came as a surprise to her.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to win here today, not until the final lap when it dawned on me. Previously, I have struggled with tension but today I was much more relaxed. I would say I have grown a lot in my mental strength,” the 22-year-old said.
It was Chepkorir’s second consecutive win following her triumph in Praha on September 27, when she timed 30:12 to clinch the women’s 10km race.
