Ugandan teenager Loice Chekwemoi and Kenya’s Samwel Chebolei Masai were unrivalled at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country – a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting – held on the outskirts of Eldoret on Saturday (7).
Pre-race favourite Chekwemoi, aged just 17, won the women’s race by more than 80 seconds, while 23-year-old Chebolei had a tighter contest in the men’s event.
Ethiopian teenager Shimeles Mekides Molla put in an early surge after the first 2km loop of the women’s 10km race with Chekwemoi and Abigael Chepkoech trailing close behind.
Molla’s lead was short-lived, though, because Chekwemoi moved to the front and opened a gap steadily. It wasn’t long before the African steeplechase champion was running alone out in front with just the thousands of spectators for company.
The Ugandan teenager went on to finish in 34:32, while Molla was almost a minute-and-a-half behind, clocking 35:57 for the runner-up spot. Celestine Biwot completed the podium in 36:43.
“I couldn’t believe that I could win in the home of champions but I told myself I am also a champion and I have to fight for it,” said Chekwemoi. “To be a champion is not easy but I see progression and I am working hard to make sure I qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo next year.”
By contrast, there were 10 athletes running close together at the end of the first lap in the men’s race. That pack was soon reduced to five men, including world U20 cross-country bronze medallist Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto, 2019 African Games 5000m champion Robert Kiprop, and Samwel Chebolei, who was fifth at this year’s World Cross, contributing to Kenya’s team gold medal.
Heading into the fourth lap, Kipruto led from Kiprop and Chebolei. Kipruto’s challenge faded in the closing stages, though, while Chebolei proved to have the stronger finishing kick. He crossed the line in 30:49 to win by nine seconds. Kiprop took second place, improving on his fourth-place finish from last year. Pre-race favourite Kipruto was third in 31:12.
“I had to fight because there were a lot of good athletes in this race, it was not easy,” said Chebolei. “After the third lap, we still felt energetic and the three of us decided to drop the rest and the maths worked for us. I am hoping to build up from here and represent Kenya in Tokyo.”
Kevin Kiprop Biwott won the U20 men’s race, beating world U20 5000m champion Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi by 17 seconds.
Cynthia Chepkurui, who was ninth at the African Cross Country Championships earlier this year, this time emerged as the winner in the U20 women’s 6km race in 21:17.
Several of Kenya’s leading athletes, past and present, attended the Great Chepsaita Cross Country, including Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Benson Kipruto, David Rudisha, Julius Yego and Janeth Jepkosgei.
Michelle Katami for World Athletics
Leading results
Senior women (10km)
1 Loice Chekwemoi (UGA) 34:32
2 Shimeles Mekides Molla (ETH) 35:57
3 Celestine Biwot (KEN) 36:43
4 Jerono Daisilah (KEN) 36:53
5 Sylylvia Nyoka Yego (KEN) 37:24
Senior men (10km)
1 Samwel Chebolei Masai (KEN) 30:49
2 Robert Koech Kiprop (KEN) 30:58
3 Mathew Kipkoech Kipruto (KEN) 31:12
4 Naibei Kiplimo (KEN) 31:22
5 Charles Rotich (KEN) 31:23
U20 women (6km)
1 Cynthia Chepkurui (KEN) 21:17
2 Yvonne Jepchirchir Chepkoskei (KEN) 21:43
3 Joyline Chepkemoi (KEN) 21:50
4 Alice Chemtai Loitasia (KEN) 21:59
5 Claire Cheruto (KEN) 22:04
U20 men (8km)
1 Kevin Biwott Kiprop (KEN) 24:37
2 Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi (KEN) 24:54
3 Edwin Sanutia (KEN) 25:22
4 Cornelius Kipkosgei (KEN) 25:38
5 Ezekiel Kwemei (KEN) 25:40
