Kipchirchir, Kosgei win Discovery Cross Country

Josephat Kipchirchir and Brigid Kosgei are the winners of the 27th edition of Discovery Kenya Cross Country held on Sunday at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County.

Kipchirchir covered the 10 kilometres senior men’s race in 30 minutes, 23seconds, ahead of Alfred Barkach who clocked 30.29, while Nicholas Kipkorir settled for the third spot after stopping the clock at 30.40mins.

Kosgei, on the other hand,  came first in the 8kilometres senior women’s crossing the tape in 27.30minutes, ahead of training mate, Vivian Kiplagat, who came in second clocking 27.39. Iten Cross country champion Vallary Jemeli came in third in a time of 27.49.

Speaking after his win, Kipchirchir who hails from Nandi County said it was a competitive race considering it was his first cross country since competing last year in the Tuskys Cross Country.

“It was my first cross country this year and thus it was competitive but I’m grateful that I eventually won,” said Kipchirchir.

With less than two weeks remaining to the national cross country cum Africa Cross Country trials, Kipchirchir revealed that he now aims to make it to Team Kenya for the continental championships.

“I am now shifting my attention towards the national championships as I am looking to earn a slot in the team to Algeria, ” revealed Kipchirchir.

For Kosgei however, her target this year is the World marathon majors where she plans to compete in the London Marathon but first, she will compete in RAK Half Marathon slated for  February 9 in the United Arab Emirates.

Ronex Kipruto clocked 24.09 to claim the honours in the 8km junior men, seven seconds ahead of World Under-18 boys 3,000m silver medalist Edward Zakayo, with Vincent Kiprotich coming in third in a time of 24.22, as Kennedy Kimutai and Sila Kiptoo finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The 18-year-old who trains at St Patricks High School in  Iten said he’s now aiming for the Africa Cross Country championships, adding that he now looks to improve on his time.

In the 6km junior women,  Roselidah Chepketer was the heroine as she crossed the finish line in 20.59 ahead of Agnes Jebet who clocked 21.04 as Janet Chepkoech came in third stopping the timer at 21.11.

Other events that preceded the senior competition included the under 7, under 12, under 14 for both boys and girls.

National Olympic of Kenya (NOCK) president Paul Tergat and his Athletics Kenya (AK) counterpart Lt. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei were among the dignitaries present alongside celebrated athletes in the North Rift region.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, one of the event organisers and cross country coach David Letting termed the competition a success.

” For us, we are very happy because we met our target and our sponsors are glad as well, ” disclosed Letting.