NAIROBI, Kenya, October 23 – Athletics Kenya (AK) head coach Julius Kirwa is excited about the upcoming legs of the 2024/25 Cross Country Series following a thrilling opener in Machakos on Saturday.
Kirwa believes the championships will bring the best out of competitors even as many of them use it as preparations for the track and field season.
“There were approximately 700 athletes in Machakos and this is a very good sign for Kenyan athletics going forward. My hope is that the momentum will increase and that the competition will get even better. Cross country is a perfect build-up for the track and field season,” Kirwa said.
The first leg of the annual series at the Machakos Teachers’ Training College saw Asbel Kiprono and Maureen Chepkoech triumphing in the senior men and women’s races, respectively.
North Rift’s Kiprono clocked 32:11.2, ahead of South Rift’s Francis Abong (32:14.7) and Victor Kipruto (32:29.1) who finished second and third respectively.
Meanwhile, Chepkoech clocked 36:22.9 to emerge victorious whereas Christine Njoki (36:32.22) and Esther Chemtai (37:13.7) came second and third respectively.
Ngong’s Silas Sentura won the junior men’s 8km race after clocking 25:27.42 as Simon Maywa of North Rift (25:32.70) and Clinton Ngetich of South Rift(25:38.04) followed in second and third.
Meanwhile, the junior women’s 6km title went to Central Rift’s Yvonne Chepchirchir who timed 21:40.2, ahead of Lorna Cherono (21:50.7) and Florence Chepkoech (21:57.7) in second and third respectively.
Registration for the next leg of the series, set for October 26 at Kapsokwony Boys’ High School, is ongoing with officials expecting competitors to exceed the number witnessed in Machakos.
Among those already confirmed for the event is Africa Cross Country silver medallist Naibei Kiplimo who will be running in the senior men’s 10km.
The 24-year-old will be out to bounce back from the disappointment of losing out on an Olympic ticket after finishing 14th in the men’s 5000m at the national trials in June.
Winners in the men and women’s 10km will go home Ksh 50,000 richer whereas the juniors (men’s 8km and women’s 6km) will receive Ksh 30,000.
Other races to be contested are the 2km loop for men and women.
Registered participants have been urged to collect their bib numbers at event venue in Kapsokwony on Friday (from 9 am to 6 pm).