Kenya reclaims senior women title

By Buckley Fedha

Irene Cheptai led five other Kenyans into a clean sweep of medals in the senior women race at the 2017 world cross country championships in Kampala, Uganda.

Cheptai won gold ahead of compatriots Alice Aprot and Lilian Kasait who finished second and third respectively.

Kenyan ladies finished in the first six positions with Hyvin Kiyeng, Agnes Jebet and Faith Chepngetich crossing the line in 4th to 6th positions respectively.

The Kenyan men could not match the ladies feat but Geoffrey Kamworor defended the title won two years ago by cutting the tape first ahead of compatriot Leonard Barsoton who was second while Abadi Hadis of Ethiopia settled for the bronze medal.

Kenya missed out on the gold medals in the under 20 events as Richard Yator and Celliphine Chepteek finished 3rd in the men and ladies races respectively.

Kenya had earlier won the first gold medal at the championship when the team of Asbel Kiprop, Winfried Mbithe, Bernard Koros and Beatrice Chepkoech finished first in the inaugural mixed relays event.

The Kenyan team finished ahead of team Ethiopia and Turkey who were second and third respectively.