Bett, Chebet win South Rift Cross Country titles
Leonard Bett of Bomet wins 10km senior men's race during South Rift Cross Country Championships at Njoro Boys High School, Nakuru County on January 08, 2022.
What you need to know:
- Bett who was defeated in the heats in the Tokyo Olympics, won the tough race in a time of 28 minutes and 23 seconds ahead of his closest challenger Geoffrey Kimutai was a second adrift
- Kimutai finished in 28:24 ahead of Andrew Mangat who was third in 28:34
- Sandrafelis Chebet from Kericho won the 10km senior women race in a time of 32:03 ahead of Viola Chepngeno and Fancy Cherono both from Kericho who clocked 32:11 and 32:21 respectively
Leonard Bett of Bomet County, who represented Kenya in the Tokyo Olympic Games in the 3,000m steeplechase, clinched the South Rift Valley 10km senior men cross country title at Njoro Boys High School, Nakuru County on Saturday.
Bett who was defeated in the heats in the Tokyo Olympics, won the tough race in a time of 28 minutes and 23 seconds ahead of his closest challenger Geoffrey Kimutai was a second adrift.
“I’m happy for clinching the race. I was not sure of winning the race as I trailed from the first whistle. I thank God because the win is a good preparation for me in the forthcoming National cross country, Diamond League and the World cross country championship which I hope to qualify,” said Bett who dedicated the win to his family and his training mates in Bomet.
Geoffrey Kimutai from Kericho, who was runners-up gave the winner a good run for his money as they were only separated by a second. Kimutai finished in 28:24 ahead of Andrew Mangat who was third in 28:34.
“I’m satisfied with the second position as I am now ready for my half marathon race slated in the US in February,” said Kimutai who represented Kenya in the World cross country championship in 2016 in Cameroon and finished fifth.
Sandrafelis Chebet from Kericho won the 10km senior women race in a time of 32:03 ahead of Viola Chepngeno and Fancy Cherono both from Kericho who clocked 32:11 and 32:21 respectively.
Chebet, who had last Saturday won the 15km road race in Brazil in 50:06, said she did not expect to be in the county team as she did not participate in the preliminary stages.
“I thank chairman of Kericho AK Japheth Kimei for believing in me and including me in the regional championship,” said Chebet who has represented Kenya in the junior, youth and Commonwealth Games in the past.
“I’m now ready for the national championships in Kapseret and I hope to get a place in the national team,” said Chebet.
Selected results
10km senior women
1. Sandra Chebet (KCO) 32:03
2. Viola Chepngeno (KCO) 32:11
3. Fancy Cherono (KCO) 32:21
4. Faith Cherono (NKU) 32:54
5. Mercyline Cherono (KCO) 33:07
6. Mercy Chepkorir (KCO) 33:22
7. Gladys Cherono (BMT) 33:33
8. Mercy Chepkurui (NKU)33:40
9. Gladys Cherono (KCO) 33:49
10. Emily Kipchumba (KCO) 34:07
10km senior men
1. Leonard Bett (BMT) 28:23
2. Geoffrey Koech (KCO) 28:24
3. Andrew Mangat (NKU) 28:34
4. Mathu Samberu (KJD) 28:37
5. Shem Tolu (KCO) 28:37
6. Charles Lang’at (NKU) 28:44
7. Vincent Kipkurui (NKU) 28:49
8. Philip Lang’at (KCO) 28:55
9. Isaac Kipkemoi (KCO) 29:00
10. Reuben Moslow (NKU) 29:04
