Kipyeko celebrates second senior cross-country title
Kipyeko (L) takes charge of the race at the weekend. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
What you need to know:
Athletics. Stella Chesang claimed her first senior women’s title while Mande Bushendich and Janat Chemusto took the respective junior race honours at the National Cross-country on Saturday
KAMPALA.
When Phillip Kipyeko stunned Moses Kipsiro to win his maiden senior men’s National Cross-country Championships title last year, not so many were convinced.
But it was only a matter of time for Kipyeko to prove that the victory wasn’t a one-off. The Prisons runner was at it again as he beat a field of 84 runners to successfully defend his title at Jinja show grounds on Saturday. He broke the tape in 29 minutes and 17 seconds.
“I expected this to happen,” the 21-year-old said of the win. “I hope I can mentally build on this victory, then prepare well for the 5000m race ahead of the Rio Olympics,” Kipyeko added before receiving a congratulatory message from his training partner and Prisons teammate Stephen Kiprotich.
Olympic marathon champion Kiprotich flagged off the races and cheered in the terraces before returning to his training camp in Kenya. Despite the scorching heat, Kipyeko ran a well-controlled race over the 10km course. He led in the first 2km, then dropped a bit but kept tabs with the leading pack of six before eventually peeling away in thunderous fashion.
Police’s Abdallah Mande (29:27) and KCCA’s Thomas Ayeko (29:30) completed the podium. Record six-time winner Moses Kipsiro came in a distant sixth position after posting 30:06. The 29-year-old had earlier told this paper that he would not attend the event but he changed his mind on the persuasion of managers at KCCA, the club he represented in the event.
NATIONAL XTRY RESULTS
SENIOR MEN (10KM)
1.Phillip Kipyeko (Prisons) 29:17
2. Abdallah Mande (Police) 29:27
3. Thomas Ayeko (KCCA) 29:30
6. Moses Kipsiro (KCCA) 30:06
SENIOR WOMEN (10KM)
1. Stella Chesang (Police) 34:33
2. Zena Chebet (KCCA) 34:43
3. Nancy Cheptegei (UPDF) 35:00
JUNIOR MEN (8KM)
1. Mande Bushendich (Standard) 23:58
2. Martin Musau (Police) 24:10
3. Abel Chebet (Police) 24:26
JUNIOR WOMEN (6KM)
1.Janat Chemusto (Police) 20:32
2.Peruth Chemutai (Police) 20:34
3. Mercyline Chelangat (Police) 21:10
CAMEROON CALL
The best runners from Jinja will represent Uganda at the Africa Cross-Country due March 12 in Cameroon.
