Fredrick Chebii and Emmaculate Jepkosgei made impressive starts to their 2026/27 campaigns, storming to commanding victories in the senior races as the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series opened at Machakos Teachers College on Saturday.
Chebii dominated the senior men’s 10km race, pulling away from the field to win in 29:55.8.
Fellow North Rift runner Kenneth Lagat finished second in 30:33.7, while Southern’s Peter Mutie completed the podium in 30:35.3.
Chebii said he was looking forward to a strong season after taking a short break from competition to concentrate on his studies.
“I took a short break to go back to school, but I am now back and targeting a great season. I believe cross country will help me build my endurance before I shift focus to road races and track,” he said.
Jepkosgei was equally impressive in the senior women’s 10km, breaking away from the leading pack to claim victory in 33:46.7.
Betty Chelangat finished second in 34:32.6, while Lemotit Camp’s Miriam Kibet was third in 34:44.1.
Jepkosgei’s victory was a timely response after finishing second at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho, providing an early boost to her season ambitions.
“I came here to redeem myself after finishing second at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho, and I am happy I managed to achieve that. The race was very tough because of the heat, but I had to push myself and take the win because that’s what I came here for. I am very happy,” she said.
In the junior categories, Lemotit Camp’s Faith Rono won the Under-18 girls’ 4km race in 13:42.20, finishing ahead of Magnolia Athletics Camp’s Jeska Lowatop, who clocked 14:06.50. Lowatop’s teammate Loveline Sintoyia was third in 14:07.40.
South Rift’s Jairus Byegon claimed the Under-18 boys’ 6km title in 18:29.0, while Lemotit Camp’s Cynthia Chepkurui won the Under-20 women’s 6km race in 20:20.4.
Western’s Edwin Sanutia completed the junior honours by winning the Under-20 men’s 8km race in 24:01.7.
Meanwhile, Caroline Nyaga and Ibrahim Baskwony triumphed in the 2km loop races, clocking 6:36.8 and 5:49.3 respectively.
Nyaga’s victory was particularly encouraging as she returned to competition following an injury lay-off. The Kenyan admitted she had not expected to win in her first race since recovering.
“I had suffered an injury, and this is my first race after recovery. I’m happy that I have taken the win because, honestly, I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t rush myself to come back into competition, and I think that is what has helped me in this race,” she said.
Nyaga will now focus on regaining peak form as she targets the qualifying standard for the 2027 World Championships.
“Focus now shifts to how I can get the time for the 2027 World Championships,” she added.
Top Five Finishers Across All Categories
4KM U18 Girls Final
• 1st: Faith Cherotich Rono – 13:42:20 (Lemotit camp)
• 2nd: Jeska Lowatop – 14:06:50 (Magnolia Athletics Camp)
• 3rd: Loveline Sintoyia – 14:07:40 (Magnolia Athletics Camp)
• 4th: Irine Jeptum Kibon – 14:11:00 (North Rift)
• 5th: Abigael Chepkirui – 14:23:00 (Lemotit camp)
6KM U18 Boys Final
• 1st: Jairus Kipkorir Byegon – 18:29.0 (South Rift)
• 2nd: Gabriel Mosoi – 19:02.4 (Southern)
• 3rd: Robin Musa Mukusya – 19:05.7 (South Rift)
• 4th: Shadrack Kipchumba – 19:20.0 (Individual)
• 5th: Duncan Letowon – 19:22.6 (Nairobi)
6KM U20 Women Final
• 1st: Cynthia Chepkurui – 20:20.4 (Lemotit camp)
• 2nd: Mercy Chepngeno Mageso – 20:32.3 (Lemotit camp)
• 3rd: Tabitha Wanjiru – 20:46.3 (South Rift)
• 4th: Marieta Wanjiku Mwangi – 20:59.7 (Central)
• 5th: Ruth Muthoni – 21:17.7 (South Rift)
8KM U20 Men Final
• 1st: Edwin Elkana Sanutia – 24:01.7 (Western)
• 2nd: Lucky Ramsey – 24:12.1 (Central Rift)
• 3rd: Titus Muthama – 24:17.3 (Southern)
• 4th: Elkana Kibet – 24:17.5 (Western)
• 5th: Collins Kiplangat – 24:38.7 (South Rift)
10KM Women Final (Senior)
• 1st: Emmaculet Jepkosgei – 33:46.7 (North Rift)
• 2nd: Betty Chelangat – 34:32.6 (North Rift)
• 3rd: Miriam Chemutai Kibet – 34:44.1 (Lemotit camp)
• 4th: Fridah Bosibori Abuga – 35:10.5 (Ngong Athletics)
• 5th: Pauline Mukhavi – 35:13.6 (Western)
10KM Men Final (Senior)
• 1st: Fredrick Kipkoech Chebii – 29:55.8 (North Rift)
• 2nd: Kenneth Kiprono Lagat – 30:33.7 (North Rift)
• 3rd: Peter Makau Mutie – 30:35.3 (Southern)
• 4th: Andrew Lorot – 30:40.9 (North Rift)
• 5th: James Musembi Mwanza – 30:41.3 (Southern)
2KM Loop Women Final
• 1st: Nyaga Caroline – 6:36.8 (Police)
• 2nd: Nemayan Simon – 6:45.4 (South Rift)
• 3rd: Faith Mwende Kyalo – 6:52.4 (Magnolia Athletics Camp)
• 4th: Mercy Jemjor Chepsoyo – 6:53.8 (Sinonin camp)
• 5th: Vivian Cherotich – 6:53.9 (Lemotit camp)
2KM Loop Men Final
• 1st: Ibrahim Kipruto Baskwony – 5:49.3 (Sinonin camp)
• 2nd: Evans Biwott – 5:51.5 (Central Rift)
• 3rd: Brian Musyoka Masai – 5:54.7 (KDF)
• 4th: Collins Kibet – 5:56.4 (South Rift)
• 5th: Paul Kimani – 5:57.0 (South Rift)