Edwin Bett and Grace Loibach braved a muddy course to win the 10km senior men and women races in the third Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross-Country series that was staged at 181 playing ground in Sotik town, Bomet County on Saturday.

Kericho’s Bett has started a blistering career in Cross-Country as he also won the Machakos edition recently and a similar event sponsored by Betika in Kericho County three weeks ago.

Bett, who declared that he is focusing on the February 2023 World Cross-Country championships in Australia. crossed the finishing line with a time of 27:21;0 while Loibach from Elgeyo Marakwet won the race after recording 30:50;8.

Daniel Simiyu (Police) was second in the senior men category after finishing the race with a time of 27:22;3 while Reuben Longosiwa (Elgeyo Marakwet) came third after crossing the finishing line with a time of 27:37;4.

Prominent athletes Asbel Kiprop, (Elgeyo Marakwet), Fredrick Domongole (West Pokot) and Shadrack Chirchir (Elgeyo Marakwet) were fourth, fifth and sixth after running with times of 27:39;3, 27:40;1 and 27:42;0 respectively.

Agnes Jebet came second in the senior women category. She crossed the finishing line with a time of 31:03;3 while Ed inerna Jebitok (Elgeyo Marakwet) clinched the third slot after running with a time of 31:14;5.

Heavy rains

Emily Chebet (Bomet) was fourth after crossing the finishing line with a time of 31:23;5. Naomi Chepngeno (Nakuru) and Nelly Cheptoo (Police) were fifth and sixth when they finished the race with times of 31:31;1 and 31:52;6 respectively.

“Despite the course being tough due to mud following heavy rains, I knew I was winning the race because I had prepared well. I hope to do well in the upcoming events and make it to a national team for World Cross-Country championships in Australia”, Bett said.

Loibach said the race was tough but she was happy after emerging the victor saying she has trained her eyes on the World event.

“I am in good shape and I hope to do well in the upcoming Cross-Country series ahead of the World event”, she added.

Shadrack Rono (Bomet) was the star in the 8Km Under 20 men after clocking 21:59;7 while Denis Kipngetich (Elgeyo Marakwet) came second with a time of 22:06;2.

 Other results were, Gideon Kipngetich ( Nakuru), 22:07;2, Ronald Kipkorir (Bomet) 22:08;2, Gilbert Kiprotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) 22:14;1 and Raymond Kipkoech (Elgeyo Marakwet) 22:20;4.

Rono who missed out on the list of athletes who represented Kenya in Cali Colombia during the World Under 20 Athletics Championships due to an injury said he is back with a bang.

“I am now training as I focus on the next year’s World Cross-Country championships in Australia “, Rono said.

Betty Chelangat (West Pokot) romped home with victory in 6km Under 20 women in the race that was dominated by junior athletes from Elgeyo Marakwet. Chelangat clocked 18:40;6, Marion Chepngetich 18:42;9, Sheila Chebet 18:47;5 and Diana Cherotich 18:51;9 all from Elgeyo Marakwet county.

 Diana Chepkemoi 18:54;2 and Pamela Kosgei (Elgeyo Marakwet) 18:57;4.