Habari Za Wiki- 11th January, 2022

The Running News

Kimeli and Jebitok reign supreme in Spain

Nicholas Kimeli and Ednah Jebitok were off to a great start of the year after winning the 78th cross international Juan Muguerza-a world Athletics Cross country tour Gold meeting.

Kimeli and Jebitok dominated the race despite the non-stop heavy rains to win the men's and women's categories respectively.

Kimeli who narrowly missed a medal at the Tokyo Olympics after coming fourth in the 5000m clocked 33:47 to win the race. Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihine came second in 33:53 while Uganda's Rodgers Kibet completed the podium in 34:05.

In the women’s category Jebitok led a Kenyan 1-2 finishing the race in 26:03 while Compatriot Beatrice Chebet, world u-20 5000m champion , finished second in 26:18. Prisca Chesang of Uganda came in third in 26:33.

Nicholas Kimeli celebrates crossing the finish line to win Heat 1 on men's 5000m . [Reuters]

Charles Mneria defends his Kenya prisons Title

Former Africa cross country bronze medalist Charles Yosei Mneria and road-racer Rosemary Wanjiru yesterday won the Kenya Prisons cross country championships held at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru. Charles Mneria sealed his fourth consecutive men’s 10km victory and made his intentions clear ahead of the World Athletics Championship set to happen in July this year.

Kiprugut , the 2017 Africa Under-20 Championships 1,500m bronze medalist, settled second in 30:08.5 as Wilfred Kimitei, the 2016 Africa 10,000m silver medalist sealed the last podium place in 30:17.7.

Mneria, who failed to impress at the 2019 African Games showpiece in Morocco in 10,000m, wore the composure of an experienced athlete as he led the field that had 800m runner Boaz Kiprugut and Africa 10,000m silver medalist Wilfred Kimitei to win 30:00.15

Charles Mneria crosses the finish line to win the men's 10km race during Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships at Prisons Training College at Ruiru, Kiambu County on January 08, 2022. Photo courtesy of Sila Kiplagat- Nation Media Group

Obiri Defends Kdf cross country title as Kandie is beaten.

World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri successfully defended her KDF country title at the 41st edition which was held at the Moi Airbase. 

Hellen Obiri who is also the world cross country champion clocked an impressive 32:49:50 in the 10km race ahead of Joyce Chepkemoi who finished second in  33:22:03. Sheila Chepkirui finished third in 33:34:03. 

Obiri led all the five laps before breaking away from the group in the third lap to clinch victory.

In the men's category World half marathon winner Kandie who was in the lead group in the initial stages of the race finished seventh attributing his performance to a nagging knee injury.

Erick Kiptanui won the men’s category in 29:20.59, he was followed by Collins Koros of Kahawa Baraks 29:21 45, with Vedic Cheruiyot 29:23.78 settling for third.

Non-Kenyan News 

Registration open for Abbott marathon

Abbott will be offering 100 invites for the 2023 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships to the top ranking age-group runners (age 40+). So if you needed an extra incentive to lace-up for this 26.2miles Global Marathon…this is it. 

(Championship details to be announced in the coming months)