Chespol reclaims Kenya Prisons Cross Country title

Chespol wins Prisons Cross Country

Celliphine Chespol crosses the finish line to win the women's 10km race during Kenya Prisons Cross Country Championships at Prisons Training College at Ruiru, Kiambu County on January 08, 2022.


 

Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Chespol of Prisons Headquarters needed the last kilometre to recapture the title she won last in 2019 in 32 minutes and 42.82 seconds
  • Chespol, the two-time World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion, exchanged leads with Abigael Chelangat from Prisons Staff Training College (PSTC) and guest runner Brilliant Jepkorir for the better part of the race before bolting out in the last kilometre to triumph


Africa Cross Country champion Celliphine Chespol on Saturday reclaimed the Kenya Prisons Service Cross Country Championships women’s 10km title.

Chespol of Prisons Headquarters needed the last kilometre to recapture the title she won last in 2019 in 32 minutes and 42.82 seconds during the race that was held at the Kenya Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru, Nairobi County.

Chespol, the two-time World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion, exchanged leads with Abigael Chelangat from Prisons Staff Training College (PSTC) and guest runner Brilliant Jepkorir for the better part of the race before bolting out in the last kilometre to triumph.

Jepkorir, who finished ninth during the 2020 World Half Marathon, dug deep to settle second in 33:46.82 as Chelangat, who led most of the time, came in third in 34:01.11.

The 2018 champion Alice Aprot from North Eastern clocked 34:24.28 for fourth place with 2020 Champion Loice Chemining sealing sixth place in 34:50.94, right behind guest athlete Betty Chelangat in 34:39.28.

“I thank God for the victory and the comeback, having recovered from a nasty accident early last year that caused me a place at the Tokyo Olympic Games. I was hit from behind while training and had to be hospitalised,” said Chespol, whose main target this year is the World Athletics Championships due July 15 to 24 in Oregon, United States.

“2022 will be a busy season but I will test myself at the Diamond League among other events ahead of the World Championships trials,” said Chespol. 

Selected results 

1. Celliphine Chespol 32:42.82

2. Brilliant Jepkorir 33:46.82

3. Abigael Chelangat 34:01.11

4. Alice Aprot 34:24.28

5. Betty Chelangat 34:39.28

6. Loice Chemining 34:50.94