Home boy Munene, Chesang split senior XC honours in Embu

Home favourite and Bristol Half Marathon record holder Morris Munene and Sheila Chesang ran to the senior men and women 10km titles during the 8th Premium Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series meeting at Kangaru in Embu County.

Joseph Muluwa and Bancy Muthoni split the junior men 8km and women 6km honours at the event ran at Kangaru School on Saturday.

Munene completed a gun to tape victory in the signature race of the day with hard-chasing Vincent Torotich pushing him all the way prompting the winner to treat cheering locals who to a thrilling sprint finish in the last 100m.

Munene wrapped the race in 30:56 with Toroitich, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer also being given the same time in a dead heat finish. Kennedy Chesereck led the challengers home to finish third in 31: 19.

“The weather was okay. I’m now focusing on qualifying for the London World Championships but I shall go for a half marathon race in France first.

“Everyone had prepared well for the race but my training turned out to be great and that is why I was able to win it.  I shall go back and continue with the programme I have been using over the last three months,” the winner told Royal Media Services Embu station Wimwaro FM after his triumph.

In the women’s 10 km showdown, Chesang who is also a GSU officer stunned home favourite and Okpekpe International Road Race in Nigerira champion Pauline Njeru to win her first domestic cross country meet.

Chesang took the title in 35:56 to tow Njeru and GSU teammate Hellen Nzembi to the podium in 36:39 and 37:25.

“I had not expected to win the race but I’m happy with the outcome since I prefer road races.  This was for my speed work as I prepare to go for a half marathon in Turkey. The course was not good to run with spikes since you can easily slip or get an injury.

“They have really hurt my feet,” Chesang said post-race.

In the men’s 8km junior race, Muluwa (24:49) led Michael Mutisya (25:09) and Bonfance Mulwa (25:23) to fill the podium with the all the top three hailing from Machakos County.

The weekend meet experienced a low turnout with only four girls competing in the 6km event.

Muthoni (24:48) of Kirinyaga County completed the most dominant victory on the day well ahead of Elizabeth Njeri (27:18) who finished second almost three minutes in arrears.

Faith Wanjiru (34:43) and Caroline Wambui (34:44) rounded the finishers.

“There could be two reasons. The first is athletes are just from the festive season but it could also be they are their energy for the County Cross Country Championships.

“They cannot be able to run today and next week, noting that at the county level is where we start the selection process,” Athletics Kenya senior Vice President Paul Mutwii explained.

-By Anthony Muchiro in Embu and Charity Wanja in Nairobi

Leading Results

Senior men 10km

1. Morris Munene (Embu) ) 30:56
2. Vincent Toroitich (GSU) 30:56
3. Kennedy Chesereck (GSU) 31:19
4. Denis Mugendi (Embu) 31: 25
5. Timothy Katana (GSU) 31:34
6. Joseph Ndambiri (Embu) 31:40

Senior women 10km

1. Sheila Chesang (GSU) 35:56
2. Polline Njeru (Embu) 36:39
3. Hellen Nzembi (GSU) 37:25
4. Ruth Njoroge (GSU) 39:24
5. Gentruid ChepChirich (GSU) 40:58
6. Florence Njoroge ( Embu) 41:56

Junior women 6km

1. Bancy Muthoni (Kirinyaga 24:48
2. Elizabeth Njeri (Kirinyaga) 27:18
3. Faith Wanjiru (Embu) 34:43
4. Caroline wambui (Embu) 34 :44

Junior men 8km

1. Joseph Muluwa (Machakos) 24:49
2. Michael Mutisya(Machakos) 25:09
3. Bonfance Mulwa (Machakos) 25:23
4. Nathan Mathenge (Embu) 25:57
5. Gerald Maina (Kirinyaga)  26:07
6. Jackson Maina (Nyeri) 26:14

Junior women 6km

1. Bancy Muthoni (Kirinyaga) 24:48
2. Elizabeth Njeri (Kirinyaga) 27:18
3. Faith Wanjiru (Embu) 34:43
4. Caroline wambui (Embu) 34 :44