Kiptanui stuns Kandie at KDF Cross Country
Eric Kiptanui (left) beats Collins Koros (right) to the finish line in the men's 10km race during the Kenya Defence Forces Cross Country Championships at Moi Airbase in Nairobi on January 07, 2021.
What you need to know:
- In the competitive race held under the scorching sun, Kiptanui shocked favourites Kibiwott Kandie and Collins Koros, clinching the title in 29 minutes, 20.06 seconds
- Former world half marathon record holder Kandie was in the lead group for the first three laps, but faded as Koros, Vedic Cheruiyot and Kiptanui traded the lead
- Koros settled for second after clocking 29:21.05, with Cheruiyot settling third in 29:28.10
Eric Kiptanui Friday stunned a rich field at the Kenya Defense Forces Cross Country Championships to win the men's 10km race at Moi Air Base in Nairobi.
In the competitive race held under the scorching sun, Kiptanui shocked favourites Kibiwott Kandie and Collins Koros, clinching the title in 29 minutes, 20.06 seconds.
The race was very tight, with very little to separate the strong field of 80 runners which also included the likes of Alfred Barkach, Abel Mutai and John Elimlim.
Former world half marathon record holder Kandie was in the lead group for the first three laps, but faded as Koros, Vedic Cheruiyot and Kiptanui traded the lead.
Koros looked like he had done enough to run out the winner in the last 100 metres but he had no reply for Kiptanui's strong finishing kick.
Koros settled for second after clocking 29:21.05, with Cheruiyot settling third in 29:28.10.
Kiptanui, who did not lead any of the five laps, attributed the win to good preparations as he plans to get back to the track. "It's a good sign to start the season on a high," said half marathon and marathon runner Kiptanui.
Koros attributed his second consecutive second-place finish to fatigue, while seventh-place finisher Kandie said knee problems affected him.
“My opponents were better prepared but I thank God for the position I have finished. I had knee problems during my preparations. These problems started during the national country championships on the muddy course of the Ngong Racecourse. My plans for 2022 is to do 10,000m on the track,” said the former world half marathon record holder.
Selected results
1.Eric Kiptanui (Embakasi) 29:20.59
2.Collins Koros (Kahawa Garrison) 29:21.45
3.Vedic Cheruiyot (Mtongwe) 29:23.78
4.Fredrick Morang’a (Isiolo) 29:28.02
5.Wilson Too (Kahawa Garrison) 29:29.53
6.Abel Mutai (Marsabit) 29:35.29
7.Kibiwott Kandie (Embakasi) 29:38.49
8.Peter Mwaniki (Nanyuki) 29:41.50
9.Edmon Kipng’etich (Embakasi) 29:52.08
10.John Chepkwony (Thika) 29:57.09
