Why Kenya will continue to rule cross-country
By Gilbert Koech
The triumphant Kenyan team to Chlef arrived back in the country yesterday with pride after once more ruling the African cross-country showpiece.
With biennial continental event now on it’s 5th edition, Kenya is proving to be unbeatable in this game with perennial arch rivals Ethiopia the only nation closely challenging this dominance.
In last weekend’s affair, Ethiopians ran away with junior women’s 6km event, they still couldn’t match the overall marks for team title. The two nations however have had a long historical rivalry in this game and it always looks as though it is never over until is over.
Uganda’s Thomas Ayeko had emulated the Ethiopians in spoiling the Kenyan party in senior men’s 10km showdown. You will agree Uganda is been training to join this long two horse race (Kenya & Ethiopia) but in vain. They got a lot of homework to do.
In the 2011 edition held in Capetown, Kenya had one of their best outings, thanks to likes of Faith Chepngetich and Joyce Chepkirui trailblazing for the relaunched African affair.
The earlier version which started in 1985 was still a Kenyan thing. Though it was not consistent in holding it, the East African nation still ruled the roost. The likes of Paul Kipkoech, Helen Kimaiyo and Peter Rono ensured Kenya remained top.
Back to Capetown, Kenya had retained the team title with individual victories in junior women’s 6km, senior women’s 8km and senior men’s 12km.
This was at the 2nd CAA Africa Cross Country after IAAF restructured the cross country making it a regional affair. The first one took place at the same venue.
National champion Chepkirui had led a Kenyan sweep of the podium in the senior women’s 8km race, together with Emily Chebet and Esther Chemtai Ndiema.
The only defeat then for Kenya was inflicted by the same rivals Ethiopia in the junior men’s 8km race where Muktar Edris Awel unseated the defending champion Japhet Kipyegon Korir.
But in Yaounde Cameroon (2016), Kenya fully stamped her authority thanks to Alice Aprot and James Rungaru setting the successful precedent with victories in the senior women and senior men races.
This was preceded by a splendid show from Kenyan duo in Mariam Cherop and Isaac Kipsang ruling in their respective junior categories. A total of 8 gold medals to win the overall team title.
In Kololo Kampala, Kenya didn’t disappoint as Irine Cheptai, Jacob Kiplimo Faith Chepngetich, Agnes’s Tirop and Geoffrey Kamworor made their way to podium.
Then came the 2018 African Cross in Chlef where the likes of Celliphine Chespol gave you all the anecdotes you needed to be remembering the event. Sensational Ronex Kipruto indicated that he could be unstoppable even when he graduates to senior level.
CHLEF RESULTS:
Junior women (6km)
1. Girmawit Gebregziabher (Ethiopia) 19:44
2. Tsige Gebreselama (Ethiopia) 19:58
3. Hellen Ekalale (Ethiopia) 19:59
Junior men (8km)
1. Ronex Kipruto (Kenya 25:01
2. Stanley Waithaka (Kenya 25:06
3. Solomon Weldeselassie (Ethiopia) 25:08
Senior women (10km)
1. Celliphine Chespol (Kenya) 35:10
2. Margaret Chelimo (Kenya) 35:13
3. Yeshi Kalayy Chekole (Ethiopia) 35:26
Senior men (10km)
1. Alfred Barkach (Kenya)30:47
2. Julius Kogo (Kenya) 30:47
3. Thomas Ayeko (Uganda) 30:47
Mixed Relays
1. Ethiopia 23:52
2. Kenya 24:15
3. Morocco 25:07.
