Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet and 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich are among the 30 athletes who have been selected to represent Kenya in next year’s World Cross Country Championships in the USA.
Chebet who is also a former World Cross Country champion and Ng’etich were given wild cards during today’s national Cross Country championship which also served as the National trials at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County.
The team also consists of 2023 world silver medalist Daniel Ebenyo Simiu and Maurine Chebor, both from the National Police Service, who won 10km senior men’s and women’s races.
Ebenyo eased to victory, sprinting in the last lap to cross the finish line in 30:11.1 to defend his title, followed by Kevin Chesang of Central Rift in 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
South Rift’s Dennis Kipkoech placed 3rd in 30:13.0 minutes, ahead of Shadrack Koech, Weldon Langat and Robert Koech, who completed the top six places to book their tickets for the global championships.
The 21-year-old Chebor, who has been in sensational form this season, sealed victory in 34 minutes and 16.4 seconds, 3.4 seconds ahead of South Rift’s Brenda Jepchumba and Glorious Jepkirui of Central Rift, who finished in 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.
Cynthia Chepkirui of Nairobi and North Rift’s Emmanuel Kiprono won the 6 km and 8 km under-20 races for women and men, respectively.
A formidable team of 30 athletes named on Saturday is expected to hit residential training in December as they prepare to represent Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships set for 10th January next year in Tallahassee, Florida, in the USA.
