ELDORET, Kenya, February 8, 2025 – World Half Marathon silver medalist Daniel Simiu continued his excellent record in cross country with victory at the national championships at the Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.
Simiu clocked 30:48.0 to clinch the senior men’s 10km as Nickson Kogei (30:52.6) and Simon Ngatha (30:55.7) came second and third respectively.
The Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist was competing for his employer, National Police Service (NPS), having won the institution’s cross country championships last month.
On that occasion, the world 10,000m silver medalist timed 29:51.60 seconds for the triumph, relegating Kiplimo Mayabei (29:53.60) and Robert Kiprop (29:63.60) to second and third respectively.
Saturday’s win was Simiu third in his last three cross country races, having also won in the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series in Bomet in November, clocking 29:16 for the victory.
‘Brilliant’ Jepkorir
Meanwhile, in the senior women’s 10km, Brilliant Jepkorir returned from maternity leave to win in 34:29.1.
In second was youngster Maureen Jepkoech who ran 34:32.7 as National Police Service’s Stacey Ndiwa came third in 34:54.5.
Jepkorir said the victory is the perfect preparation for her upcoming races.
“I came here determined to win a medal for my Prisons team and I am happy I have done it. For now, I do not know what my coach has planned out for me but I guess I will be competing in a number of road races in the months to come,” the 29-year-old said.
The win was a perfect way for her to bounce back from the disappointment of last weekend’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On that occasion, Jepkorir clocked 1:08:48 to finish a disappointing third.
