Chebet wins Nairobi Cross Country women's title

After playing second fiddle for two years, Lang'ata's Emily Chebet Saturday finally won Athletics Kenya Nairobi Cross Country Championships senior women's 10km title at the Kenya Prisons Service ground, Nairobi West.

Chebet held off Kenyan-born steeplechaser Winfred Yavi of Bahrain in the last two of the five-lap course after thrilling exchange to triumph in 32 minutes and 13.2 seconds.

Chebet finished second last year after she lost the battle to her sister Sandra.

"It's a beautiful and humble feeling after I failed to win in the last two editions," said Chebet, who beat Yavi, the Asian Games 3,000m steeplechase champion, to second in 32:23.7.

Chebet reckoned that Yavi was her only threat. "I  tested her for sometime but decided to pull away with two laps to go to see her reaction. She couldn't sustain my speed," said Chebet, adding that she worked on her speed this time around to win.

Chebet,  who finished 20th at last year's National Cross Country Championships, is now targeting a top six finish during this year's event due January 22 at Lobo Village, Eldoret.

"I was using this event to test my endurance and speed ahead of the World Indoor Tour," said Yavi, who will be competing in 1,500m at the indoors in view of polishing on her speed ahead of the busy season.

Yavi said she will be targeting a podium finish in 3,000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships programmed from July 15-24 in Oregon, United States.

Mercy Chepkorir from Lang'ata settled third in 33:03.8.