NAIROBI, Kenya, September 7, 2025 – 2019 All African Games 5000m winner Robert Kiprop and Miriam Chebet were crowned 10km senior race champions during the third Athletics Kenya/Betika Cross Country Series at Kapsokwony, Bungoma County, on Saturday.
It was an emotional roller-coaster for Kiprop in the men’s 10km after Kiplimo Mayebei Naibei, who had been mistakenly directed to continue by route markers, sneaked ahead and broke the tape just as Kiprop was preparing for his trademark finishing celebration.
The matter was later resolved, and Kiprop was declared the winner after clocking 29:50, while Mayebei settled for second in the same time.
Peter Tuitoek Kibenei finished third in 29:56.
“I have assessed my body and seen I have the needed endurance, but I need to work on my speed because I was left behind during the first lap. However, I managed to recover in the third loop and controlled the race, which worked in my favor. I was upset with the officiating, but I am okay now after they resolved the matter,” said Kiprop.
Kiprop and Mayebei are expected to clash again during the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships on November 3.
Kiprop added that his main focus is to secure a slot in Team Kenya for the World Cross Country Championships slated for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.
In the senior women’s race, guest athlete Maryam Lufti Njoki of Qatar won in 33:49 as part of her preparations to represent her country.
However, Kenyan Miriam Chebet was declared the official winner after clocking 33:51, followed closely by Christine Ntambi Kioko (35:01), while Dorcas Tarus came third in 35:14.
Joyline Chepkemoi of Central Rift claimed the women’s U20 6km title in 20:29.
She was followed by Venenza Chebet of Western Region (20:33) and Lonah Cherono of North Rift (20:36).
In the men’s U20 8km, Emmanuel Kiprono dethroned defending champion Andrew Alamisi, the World U20 5000m champion, to win in 24:02.
Edwin Elkana placed second in 24:06, with Alamisi settling for third in 24:11.
“This will be my last event in the U20 category. I want to close this chapter with a World Cross medal before moving up to the senior ranks. It was not an easy race, but the course was perfect for testing my training. I will need to work on my speed to boost my chances of making Team Kenya,” Alamisi said.
Athletes will now shift their focus to the fourth leg of the series in Kericho on September 24, as regional and institutional championships continue in preparation for the National Cross Country Championships, which will double up as Team Kenya trials on October 25 at Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu County.
6km Under 20 Women
1. Joyline Chepkemoi (Central Rift) 20:29
2. Venenza Chebet (Western) 20:33
3. Lonah Cherono (North Rift) 20:36
4. Mercy Chepchumba Kirwa (Western) 20:38
5. Millicent Jepkonga Kipyekomen (Central Rift) 21:13
6. Selly Chelang’at (Western) 21:18
7. Linda Chepkwemoi (Western) 21:22
8. Jelimo Mercy (North Rift) 21:34
9. Ruth Cherop (Western) 21:38
10. Rehema Chepkorir Simotwo (North Rift) 21:56
8KM UNDER 20 MEN
1. Kipkorir Emmanuel Kiprono (North Rift) 24:02
2. Edwin Elkana (Western) 24:06
3. Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi (North Rift) 24:11
4. Andrew Kiptoo Kiprop (North Rift) 24:16
5. Kevin Kiprop Biwott (Central Rift) 24:24
6. Charles Kiboino (Central Rift) 24:33
7. Elly Kiplimo (Western) 24:42
8. Peter Kichabi Naibei (North Rift) 24:55
9. Wesley Kiplagat Kipkoech (North Rift) 25:01
10. Caleb Kipsang (Western) 25:03
10km Senior Women
1. Maryam Lufti Njoki (Qatar/Guest) 33:49
2. Miriam Chebet (Western) 33:51
3. Christine Nthambi Kioko (Southern) 35:01
4. Dorcas J Tarus (Police) 35:14
5. Pascaline Jelagat Kibiwott (South Rift) 35:31
6. Sarafina Koko Kibet (Central Rift) 35:48
7. Sheilah Chepteng’an Samuel (Western) 35:55
8. Catherine Cherotich (KDF) 36:00
9. Rael Cherop Boiyo (North Rift) 36:11
10. Winnie Jepkosgei Kimutai (North Rift) 36:38
11. Emmaculet Jepkosgei (North Rift) 36:47
10km Senior Men
1. Robert Kiprop Koech (Police) 29:50
2. Kiplimo Mayebei Naibei (Police) 29:50
3. Peter Tuitoek Kibenei (Central Rift) 29:56
4. Victor Kibet Masudi (Western) 30:14
5. Kevin Chesang Chepsergon (Central Rift) 30:20
6. Titus Kiprotich Kibet (North Rift) 30:26
7. Frankline Kibet Chebet (North Rift) 30:27
8. Victor Kimosop (Central Rift) 30:31
9. Yonah Kimtai Belio (Western) 30:34
10. Timothy Ngeywo Mosobin (North Rift) 30:46
11. Philemon Kiprotich Konor (North Rift) 30:53
2km Loop Women
1. Diana Chepteek Cheroben (KDF) 6:29
2. Sheilah Chepkosgei Belio (KDF) 6:40
3. Sharon Cheruto Opicho (Western) 6:47
4. Mercy Chepsoyo (Central Rift) 6:55
5. Ruth Chelangat (Western) 6:57
6. Purity Cherotich Ndiema (Western) 7:03
7. Evelyne Jepchirchir (Central Rift) 7:08
8. Lydia Barasa (Western) 7:09
9. Mildred Cherotich (Western) 7:09
10. Abigael Chepkorir (Nyanza South) 7:11
2km Loop Men
1. David Kipkoech Toroitich (Central Rift) 5:39
2. Ezekiel Kipkorir (North Rift) 5:46
3. Starne Koyech (Western) 5:48
4. Elia Belio (Western) 5:48
5. Wilberforce Chemiat Kones (South Rift) 5:49
6. Ayabei Dancun Kipkemoi (Central Rift) 5:49
7. Belio Yonah Meli (KDF) 5:52
8. Shadrack Kimtai Chilia (North Rift) 5:53
9. Brian Kipwetich Kipkore (North Rift) 5:54
10. Joel Kiptoo (Western) 5:55
