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David Macharia

Albert Tanui of Rongai demolished a field of 235 athletes to win the senior men’s 10km race during the third Athletics Kenya Cross Country meeting held in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County at the weekend.

The win has given the runner confidence that he can make team Kenya to next year’s Africa Cross Country championship, the sixth edition of the biennial event, set to be held in Lome, Togo on March 1.

Tanui, who clocked 30:18.33, did not have it easy, however, as he laboured to overcome the challenge of KDF’s Franklin Ng’elel who was just two seconds behind. Antony Kibet of Torongo Athletics Club completed the podium in 30:25.2.

Marion Kibor of Kahawa had it easy in the senior women’s 10km race which she won in 34:15.6 after leading from gun to tape.

“I am happy with the win because this is my first race after coming back from maternity leave. My aim now is to prepare for the KDF Cross Country Championship and hopefully go on to make the Kenyan team to the Africa Championships,” said Kibor.

Chepkemoi Bet (34:16.7), Edina Jebitok (34:28.6), Mary Nyaruai (34:41.9), Joyce Chepkemoi (34:53.2) and Ruth Chepng’etich 34:56.9 claimed the other top six positions in that order.

Africa junior 3,000m bronze medallist Gideon Rono led from gun to

tape to win the Under-20 8km race in 23:37.7 while girls’ Under-20 6km race was won by Maureen Cherotich of Nakuru.