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Kenya had a clean sweep in the Girl’s U12 category that opened the 24th edition of the ISF World School Cross Country Championship at the Ngong Race Course in Nairobi on Sunday.

Sheila Chepkosgei clocked 3:53.2 to lead the sweet podium sweep that saw Belinda Chepkorir (3:55.1) and Dorcas Chelangat Kemei (3:57.1) in that order.

“I finished fourth at the national trials for this competition and my aim coming here today was to take first place, and I’m glad it happened,” Chekosgei stated.

“I am very happy as I should be because I have dreamt of this moment for quite a while,” the Tiloa Primary School pupil added.

Meanwhile, Intense rivalry was experienced between Kenya and Uganda in the hotly contested 1.2km Boys U-12 category.

Ezron Kimurgor managed to break lose from the pack at the 800m mark, before clocking 3:43.5 to win the race.

Benjamin Shikuku was second in 3:46.7 as Ugandan Caleb Kibet completed the podium in 3:48.8.

“I had faith in my abilities because our coaches have trained us well in the leadup to this competition. We were told that Uganda were going to be our biggest threat and we had to be at our best. I am so happy to have won here today and this win encourages me to keep going in my athletics career,” Kimurgor stated after the victory.Concerning his second place finish, Benjamin Shikuku from Cheptikit Primary said: “The race was good, we had a plan to run as a team, we wanted a complete podium sweep but we couldn’t do it because of stiff competition from the Ugandans.

I want to be in the Kenya team in the future so I can help my family because athletics transforms lives. I wanted to improve on my position two finish at the national trials but maintained the position. I will build on that for future races.”

Uganda ace Kibet stated this after his third place finish: “ The race was good and I knew Kenyans were good and when we started, I wanted to be among those at the front.”

“ I’m determined to make  it in athletics like those who have done well in our country, like Joshua Cheptegei.

I know they must be so happy to have seen me make it to the podium today and it has really inspired me to continue working hard,” added Kibet who is coached by Fredrick Cherich at Kapchorua, Uganda.