NAIROBI, Kenya, January 24, 2025 – Japan-based Victor Kimosop says his win at Friday’s Nairobi Region Cross Country Championships, at Nairobi West Prison Grounds, has whetted his appetite for more at next month’s national competition.
Kimosop is targeting first place at the event, to be held on February 8 at the Eldoret Sports Club.
“My target is to finish first at my next race, which is the National Cross Country Championships. I will train hard for it because there are certain aspects of my race that I still need to improve, such as speed,” he said.
Kimosop clocked 30:12.2 in the men’s 10km race to cross the finish line ahead of Meshack Kimutai (30:36.7) and Betwel Kipsang (30:40.3) in second and third place respectively.
It was his first win following a disappointing streak in which he last failed to finish at the Sinoin Cross Country race.
For Friday’s race, the 21-year-old bid his time in the middle of the park before surging to the front in the third lap.
He said it was part of his strategy to cope with the blazing sun and grab the top prize.
“The weather is quite hot although it did not affect me as such. I gave it my all…my plan was to take it easy and then take it away in the last lap,” Kimosop, who was competing in the competition for the first time, said.
Nyakisera thirsts for more
Meanwhile, winner of the senior women’s 10km, Lydia Nyasikera, has also set her sights on victory at the National Cross Country Championships.
Nyasikera admits there is no time to savour the fruits of her sweat but to hit the training trail once more in preparation for the battle ahead.
“My plan for this year has always been to feature at the nationals and that’s why I came to run here today. I will continue with my training to ensure that I am in top shape come the nationals. So far, I like how I am feeling physically and also mentally, I am in great shape,” she said.
Nyasikera clocked 35:24.7 to cut the tape, ahead of Jacinta Kamau (36:44.9) and Njoki Ndung’u (37:36.2) in second and third respectively.