The memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Gold Tour was on Saturday held at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County with lots of young athletes fighting for the first positions.
Joyline Chepkemoi cruised the Girl’s under-18 5Km race clocking Eighteen minutes and five seconds ahead of Maureen Jepkoech who clocked Eighteen minutes and fourteen seconds just to finish in the second position.
“I am happy to have won the race and I have always been inspired by my training partners like Sandrafelis Chebet and Beatrice Chebet,” said Chepkemoi who trains under Paul Kemei at Lemotit Athletics Camp in Kericho County.
Beatrice is the reigning World Cross Country Under-20 champion.
Pamela Kosgei, Rose Wangui, and Sheila Chepngetich finished in the third, fourth, and fifth positions respectively with Kosgei clocking eighteen minutes and twenty-six seconds, Wangui eighteen minutes, and forty-two seconds and Chepngetich eighteen minutes and fifty-nine seconds.
Ismael Kurui finished in the first position of the Boys under-18 6km race c locking eighteen minutes and fifteen seconds 0.1 second ahead of Vincent Kimaiyo.
Kurui said that his focus is now on the World Under 20 championship that is set to held in Cali, Colombia in August.
” It was nice but there were some challenges especially the various obstacles. But I was happy that when I hit it off, my body responded well. My focus is the World Under 20 Championships (in Cali, Colombia) in August”
Vincent Kimaiyo finished in the second position clocked eighteen minutes and sixteen seconds taking home silver medal while Charles Rotich closed the podium with bronze after finishing in the third position with a time record of eighteen minutes and twenty one seconds.
In the 10km senior men’s race gold medal was won by Samuel Chebolei who finished in the first position clocking twenty-nine minutes and forty-six seconds ahead of Michael Kibet and Nicholas Kimeli who finished in the second and the third position respectively.
Samuel Chebolei leads Michael Kibet in the men’s senior race at the Agnes Tirop Memorial World Cross Country Tour at Lobo village, Eldoret
Image: ERICK BARASA
Speaking after the race Chebolei said his tactic for the race worked after waiting for the last two laps.
‘’My idea was to wait until the last two laps and I am glad my tactics worked. I expected to win since I had worked for it and I knew the course very well’’
It is at the same Venue that Chebolei won his national tittle and he said this made him enjoy the venue despite the hot weather conditions.
“It was a great race indeed. I enjoyed running at this venue, having won my national title in this same place. The weather was quite hot but that wasn’t a problem for me,”
“When I was here last time, I did not expect to compete today. But, after a week of soul-searching, I had made up my mind to run because Agnes was a close friend and someone we used to train with,” Chebolei added
Michael Kibet clocked thirty minutes taking the bronze medal while Kimeli won the silver medal after finishing with a time record of thirty minutes and ten seconds.
Kibet said his focus is now on the Diamond League as well as representing my employer, the National Police Service.
“I thank God for the win as well as my coach for always trusting in me. Today I was relaxed and was just waiting for my chance to pounce. From now, my focus is on the Diamond League as well as representing my employer, the National Police Service, in various local competitions,” Kibet said.
Shadrack Chirchir won the Under-20 8km men’s race clocking twenty-three minutes and fifty-five seconds ahead of Gideon Rono who finished in the second position clocking twenty-four minutes and two seconds while Dennis Kipkirui finished in the third position with a time record of twenty-four minutes and ten seconds.
“I want to train hard to succeed in 5000m which is my favorite race. Today the sun was extremely hot, but I had prepared well. Now I want to focus for my KSCE exams due in April,” said Chirchir.
Purity Chepkurui who is also the World U20 1,500m champion won the women’s u20 6km event.
Speaking after the event Chepkurui said her win at the Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross-country Gold Tour is good progress as she eyes for the World Championship.
“I am so happy to win another race. I think this is good progress as we look forward to the World Championships and the World U20 Championships. We have already discussed this with my coach,” said Chepkurui.
Malon Kipkorir topped the boy’s 1km, Kevin Kipchumba finished second with Collins Kipkemboi finishing in the third position.
Brenda Jerono won the Girls 1km with Mercy Jerop and Nancy Jerop finished in the second and the third position respectively.
In attendance of the Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Gold Tour was the Cabinet Secretary Ministry Of Sports, Culture & Heritage Amina Mohammed with other officials from Athletics Kenya.
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