Jeruto, Kimeli prove class, worth at Eldoret Discovery Cross Country
By Christopher Owuor, January 27, 2020World U18 800m silver medallist Lydia Jeruto and Africa Junior cross-country champion Nicholas Kimeli were winners of 29th edition of Discovery Cross Country at Eldoret Sports Club Grounds yesterday.
The annual event attracted top cream of local and international athletes.
Jeruto received stiff competition in 8km women from 800m champion Burundian Francine Niyosaba, road specialist Kenyan-born American Sally Kiyego, Frankfurt marathon champion Valary Jemeli.
Jeruto cut the tape timing 27:16:79,followed in second Peris Jepchirchir clocked 27:1:20 , Eldoret City marathon champion Valary Jemeli timed 27:30:84 to close the top three.
Jeruto, plans to change from her 800m to 5,000m, said her focus is to get a slot in the Olympics team.
“The race was not easy looking at the top marathoners at the starting line-up but I was lucky to emerge top of the rest,” said Jeruto.
Kimeli is optimistic to win a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan. “I am sorry for what happened on Doha.
I had poor calculations hence missing the medal but come July, expect good results, break the jinx for the title,” said the two-time Ziwa Farmers marathon champion.
Kimeli won the title in 29:46.7 after taking the lead with 2km, running all the way to the tape, defeating 2018 winner Josephat Kipchirchir, who finished third clocking 30:07:0 while Robert Kiprop was second timed 29:59:01.
“This is part of my preparations for Olympic Games though I will have compete at the various Diamond Leagues before heading to Tokyo if I will make the team,” said Kimeli.
Africa cross-country runner Agnes Jebet and Cornelius Kemboi were the junior winners in 6km and 8km races in women and men races respectively.
Jebet running for Baringo County won the title defeating Winnie Kimutai and Mercy Jepkoech.