NAIROBI, Kenya, December 14 – Kericho-based Celestine Mantaine held off stiff competition to triumph in the Under 20 Women’s 6km at the fifth leg of the Betika Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series in Ol Kalou on Saturday morning.
The youngster clocked 23:15.5 to cut the tape, ahead of Alice Chemtai (23:23.5) and Sandra Jepchumba (23:36.3) in second and third respectively.
Mantaine described the win as rightful reward for all the hard work in training.
“I finished 11th in the last race of this series in Bomet and from that day, I vowed to win the next leg. I went back to training and worked on my speed, did a bit of hill work and I thank God for giving me the victory today,” the youngster said.
Following her win, Mantaine walked away with Ksh 30,000, a cash prize she described as the perfect Christmas gift.
“It is a great thing; I am so delighted. I give credit to my parents, to my coach for all the support they have accorded me. This token gives me alot of motivation to work hard for next season. The ultimate objective is to make it to the World Championships, “she said.
Chemtai concedes defeat
Speaking at the same time, Chemtai admitted she would have loved to win the top prize.
Nonetheless, she said she is contented with what is now her fourth straight second place finish in the series.
“Ideally, I would have loved to finish first but if not, I did my best to finish second. The course was much more enjoyable than the previous ones but the competition was not stiff as in the other legs,” she said.
Just like her peer, Chemtai has set sights on donning the Team Kenya singlet at next year’s World Championships in Tokyo.
“This year, I tried to make the team for the World Under 20 Championships but finished outside of the automatic places. That has been the story of my life for a while now. I am hopeful.next year, I will finally make Team Kenya,” she said.
The youngster walked home with Ksh 20,000 as Jepchumba pocketed Ksh 15,000 for all their exploits.
