After she shocked an elite field to win the Discovery Kenya Cross Country Championship, newly crowned senior women’s champion Immaculate Anyango has attributed her victory to the prowess of her coach, Ken Rotich.
The Iten-based athlete clocked 27:49.4 to take the top prize ahead of Catherine Reline (28:02.3) and Christine Njoki (28:19.9) in second and third respectively.
Speaking after the race, Anyango expressed her excitement at graduating into the senior ranks.
“It is not long since I transitioned from the junior ranks into the senior level. So far so good…my coach (Ken Rotich) has been quite helpful in my growth as an athlete and has provided me with the right foundation to grow,” the youngster said.
Anyango has now set her sights on this Saturday’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, which will be held at the Lobo Village in Eldoret.
The youngster is hopeful of fruitful returns from her first international experience.
“Next weekend I want to run at Sirikwa and I am hopeful I will do well as I have done here at the Sports Club,” she said.
The senior men’s winner, Weldon Langat, described the outing as the most apt way to re-acclimatising to the Kenyan weather, following his win at the Valencia 10km race in Spain last month.
“It was my way of recovering from the Valencia Marathon although it was quite a hot day. All in all, I am glad to have collected this second win in over a month and now focus on my next race, which is going to be at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Langat timed 30:31.2 in the first place as Bravin Kiprop (30:38.1) and world 10k record holder Rhonex Kipruto (30:44.1) finished second and third respectively.
SELECTED RESULTS
10km Senior men
1. Weldon Langat 30:31.2
2. Bravin Kiprop 30:38.1
3. Rhonex Kipruto 30:44.1
4. Reuben Longosiwa 30:54.5
5. Dennis Kitio 30:56.2
6. Cornelius Kemboi 30:56.5
8km Senior women
1. Immaculate Anyango 27:49.4
2. Catherine Relin 28:02.3
3. Christine Njoki 28:19.9
4. Roselida Jepketer 28:25.4
5. Francine Niyonsaba 28:26.8
6. Gladys Chesir 28:35.5
8km Junior men
1. Kevin Kiprop 25:05.5
2. Amos Kiprotich 25:08.3
3. Gilbert Kiprotich 25:11.1
4. Kevin Kiplagat 25:14.7
5. Joel Loshakori 25:16.9
6. Evans Kipkosgei 25:25.7
6km Junior women
1. Maurine Jepkoech 21:19.0
2. Deborah Chemutai 21:27.1
3. Miriam Chemutai 21:32.6
4. Yvonne Chepchirchir 21:44.7
5. Florence Chepkoech 21:50.1
6. Martha Jelimo 22:04.9