Chelangat, Mneria win in Mosoriot
Sheila Chelangat wins the 10km senior women race during the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Championships held at Koitalel Samoei University grounds in Mosoriot, Nandi County on December 19, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Athletes just happy to be competing after second leg concludes
- Reigning Kenyan champ said she was just testing her level as she glides past all opposition
National Cross Country champion Sheila Chelangat and former Africa cross country bronze medallist Charles Mneria ruled the countryside of Mosoriot, winning the second leg of Athletics Kenya Cross Country meeting at the University of Koitaleel Samoei.
Chelangat, who won the national cross country title in February won the women’s 10km senior race in 34:25.6. Joyce Chepleting (34:28.0) finished second followed by Gladys Chepkirui (34:42.4).
“After such a long break I didn’t expect to win the race. I’m happy and I need to plan my season well hoping next year there will be some form of normalcy,” said Chelangat, a former world junior 3,000m bronze medallist.
Chelangat will be happy with her performance thus far as she looks to build up smoothly for the rescheduled Olympics Games where she will be eyeing a Kenyan slot in the 10,000m race.
“We have few months to the Olympics Games in Tokyo and I would like to start early preparations as I look forward to represent Kenya in the 10,000m race,” she said.
Chelangat ran from behind the leading pack that included Frankfurt Marathon champion Valary Aiyabei and Eva Cherono before surging forward in the last kilometer to bag victory.
Mneria and Africa junior cross country champion Nicholas Kimeli, first leg winner Daniel Simiu and Venus Kipleting tested each other in a tight men’s race. Mneria proved the strongest surging forward decisively in the closing stages to coast to victory.
He said he was looking forward to the 2021 World Cross country championships set for March 20 in Bathurst, Australia.
“I’m happy that I won the race but this is just build up for next year where I want to be in the team that will be heading to Bathurst in Australia. The year has been really tough for us but I know next year we are going to participate in more races,” said Mneria.
Felix Korir won the junior men’s 8km race in 24:31.9 ahead of Gideon Rono who timed 24:31.7 while Hillary Cheruiyot was third in 24:39.6.
The junior women’s 6km race saw Agnes Chebet cross the line in 20:43.9 ahead of Feliciano Jepkosgei who returned in 20:54.2 while Purity Chepkirui finished third in 20:59.0.
The third leg of the cross country will be held on January 9 in Olkalau, Nyandarua County.
