OL KALOU, Kenya, December 14 – Japan-based Hellen Ekalale says she was always confident of success during her slaloming run to victory in the senior women’s 10km race at the fifth leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series in Ol Kalou on Saturday.
The Ol Kalou Arboretum was the scene for Ekalale’s dominant performance, leading from start to finish to win in 35:53.1.
North Rift’s Christine Njoki continued her commendable performance in this year’s series, clocking 36:25.1 to finish second as Joylin Cherotich came third in 37:13.1.
Ekalale said this was ‘the day the Lord had made’ for her to be glad and rejoice in victory.
“I was really confident coming into today’s race because I have been performing well in Japan, where I am based. As soon as the race began, I knew I could win it and so I pushed myself and managed to get the victory,” the 25-year-old said.
Victory secured, Ekalale is now hoping to represent the country of her birth on what is her second home (Japan).
“The fact that the World Championships is being held in Tokyo is enough motivation for me to want to make Team Kenya. It would be a dream come true for me to compete for Kenya in Japan where I have established my base,” she said.
The next leg of the series is set for January 4 in Kisii.
