Newly crowned Discovery champion Anyango credits coach for incredible win

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

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