Cheruiyot, Muneria make Prisons team for national championship
By Amos Abuga, January 13, 2020
World 1,500m Champion Timothy Cheruiyot will lead a strong Kenya Prisons Service team to this year’s National Cross Country Championships set for February 8 in Nairobi.
This is after the correctional facility held their annual Cross Country Championships at the Prisons Staff Training College (PSTC), Ruiru on Saturday, where elite athlete ruled the roost.
The three-time Diamond League winner took part in the mixed relay team, a race that was flagged off by Zeinab Hussein, Principal Secretary State department for Correctional Services and commissioner General of Prisons Wycliffe Ogallo.
“It is good to take part in my first race of the season. I was using it to gauge myself as I prepare for the national trials next month, “ said Cheruiyot who was representing Prisons Headquarters.
In the men’s and women’s 10km senior races Charles Muneria retained his title and new comer Loice Chemining claimed her maiden victory during the Championships, both making the team for the trials.
Chemining of PSTC beat teammate Sandra Chebet in a sprint finish to win in a time of 35:11.92 as Chebet clocked 35:12.65 and 2017 World Cross Country bronze medallist Lilian Kasait finished third in a time of 35:22.18.
Muneria, representing Central, braved an injury to successfully defend his title in a time of 30:47.50.
Muneria, 23, who represented Kenya in 5,000m race at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, defeated Emmanuel Ngatuny from Prisons Headquarters to second place in 31:01.72. Ngatuny finished third last year.