By JONATHAN KOMEN jkomen@ke.nationmedia.comWorld cross country sensation Gladys Chemweno on Saturday outclassed former Amsterdam Marathon champion Magdaline Chemjor to win the eight-kilometre crown at the second edition of Ndalat Gaa cross-country in Nandi North meeting.
Chemweno, who dominated the leader board at the Sh1m Athletics Kenya jackpot early this year, broke way at the four-kilometre mark into exchanging the lead with Chemjor.
Chemweno, who wore the national colours while a student at the athletics-rich Kapkenda Girls High School in Keiyo South, produced a solid run to stop the timer at 27 minutes and 38.7 seconds.
Chemjor (27:56.0) and Amman world cross runner Valentine Kipketer (28:41.5) wound up second and third.
Great things to come
The win filled the 21-year-old Chemweno with confidence ahead of the coming season. “The win symbolises great things ahead. I need a podium-finish at next year’s world championship.
Chemjor, who will line up at next month’s New York Marathon, said the second place was a challenge in her campaigns for a place in Kenya’s team to 2011 IAAF world cross-country and the great show in the Big Apple.
“I am okay with the performance. But I will not rest on my laurels since running in New York is quite tough and so is seeking a place in the national team to world championships.” said Chemjor.
Classy field
Purity Cherotich a junior World cross-country junior silver medallist in Bygozscz, Poland beat a classy field which had world junior 3,000m steeplechase champion Purity Cherotich (of Kericho) and Alice Aprot, another world cross star, to win the six kilometre women’s race.
Cherotich, who is also 3,000m World Youth title holder in Italy last year, employed an electric pace to shake off her challenges and breast the tape in 20:50.3.
Janet Kisa (21:00.3) was second followed by and Gladys Chesir (21:06.4). the global track star from Kericho and Aprot (21:234.6) settled for fourth and firth places.
Barnabas Kosgei, the 2005 world junior bronze medallist, carried the men’s 12km title in an impressive 36:37.3. National junior champion Charles Chebet (36:38.3) and upstart Timothy Kiptoo (36:39.3)checked in second and third.
Kids races
Newcomer Gedion Kipketer bagged the men’s junior title in 24:03.3 ahead of Nicholas Togom (24:09.4) – a younger brother of world cross country great Mathew Kisorio –and David Bett 24:13.5. Philemon Rono (24:16.5) and David Maru finished in fourth and fifth.
The event featured several kids races in what Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said it was a way of nurturing young talent.
ShareThis