Shadrack Chirchir and Purity Chepkirui won the women’s Under-20 6km race at the Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Tour at the Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on Saturday.
The World Under-20 1500m champion Chepkirui took the victory in 20:49 Lucy Nduta (21:09) and Faith Cherotich (21:18).
“I am so happy to win another races. I think this is good progress as we look forward to the World Championships and the World U20 Championships. We have already discussed this with my coach,” Chepkirui said.
Chirchir held off Gideon Rono in a close contest for the men’s title, breasting the finish line in 23:55. Rono came home seven seconds later with Dennis Kipkirui rounding off the top three places in 24:10.
In the earlier Under-18 events, Ismael Kurui topped the boys’ 6km race in 18:15 with Vincent Kimaiyo (18:16) and Charles Rotich (18:21) taking second and third place respectively.
“It was a nice but there were some challenges especially the various obstacles. But I was happy that when I hit it off,my body responded well. My focus is the World Under 20 Championships (in Cali, Colombia) in August,” Kurui said.
Joyline Chepkemoi from Lemotit training camp timed 18:05 to win the corresponding girls’ 5km race while Maureen Jepkoech was second in 18:14. Pamela Kosgei returned 18:26 for third place.Malon Kipkorir and Brenda Jerono who are both pupils from St. Matthews Preparatory in Nandi won the boys and girls 1km races.
Kipkrorir clocked five minutes and 01.3 seconds to win ahead of Kelvin Kichumba and Collins Kipkemboi. Jerono led Mercy Jerop and Nancy Jerop for the top three places.
