Kapsokwony, Mount Elgon, November 24 – Moses Mukono gave training partner and village mate the World 800m record holder David Rudisha, a perfect gift ahead of the IAAF World Centenary Gala when he grabbed his third victory in the KCB/AK National Cross Country Series on Saturday.
Mukono, 17, powered away unchallenged to the tape with the Barcelona World Juniors eighth finisher (5000m) arriving home in 24:44.9, ten seconds ahead of Walter Kipkoech (24:55.4) in second to clinch top honours in the men 8km junior race.
Peter Namuria who beat him in the second meeting in Machakos a fortnight ago was forced to third in 24:58.4. Mukono also won in the opener in Nyahururu (November 3) and third round in Kisii last Saturday sandwiched between a second placing in Machakos to emerge the star of the event.
In the men’s senior 12km long race, Hosea Macharinyang, a veteran of record seven World Cross appearances, put together an even more devastating front running display to win his first domestic series event.
Having been beaten by Peter Matelong in Nyahururu where he came second, the Brussels (2004), St Denis (2005), Fukuoka (2006), Mombasa (2007), Edinburgh (2008), Bydgoszcz (2010) and Punta Umbria (2011) World Cross competitor crushed his rivals in 37:24.1 for a comprehensive 14 second win.
Namesake Hosea Nailel (37:38.0) and David Maru (37:40.3) came in second and third ahead of World junior 10,000m bronze medallist Geoffrey Kirui (37:50.5) in fourth.
Kirui, the fifth-place finisher at the Kenyan Olympics 10,000m Trial in Eugene, Oregon in June 2 won the second leg in Machakos (November 10).
Walter Kororia, a younger brother of 1995 World Half Marathon winner, Shem Kororia, finished eighth in 38:50.6.
In the absence of 2010 World Cross senior women champion, Emily Chebet who had won the opening three rounds of the annual series, Magdalene Masai was crowned the champion of the 8km event.
The younger sister of the out ran the field in 29:52.1 as Barcelona World Juniors fourth finisher, Nancy Chepkwemoi (29:55.7) and Bydgozcz World Cross junior silver winner; Purity Cherotich (29:57.7) sealed the podium.
Sheila Chepng’etich Keter (21:52.6), who finished sixth in the 2011 World Youth Championships in 1500m, was the winner of the first race of the day, the junior women 6km for her second win this season.
Agnes Jebet (21:53.9) who was third in Nyahururu and Kisii moved a place up in the podium ahead of Jackline Chebwogen (22:04.7) arrived home to take third.
Chemng’etich and Mukono joined Chebet as the favourites to share the Sh200,000 series jackpot following their victories ahead of the season ending Kericho meet in January.
The series takes a break until December 22 when Embu will host the fifth leg.
LEADING RESULTS
Junior 6km
1. Sheila Chemng’etich 21:52.6
2. Agnes Jebet 21:53.9
3. Jackline Chebwogen 22:04.7
4. Mercy Chebwogen 22:05.6
5. Lina Cheruto 22:19.2
6. Eva Cherono 22:26.6
7. Celestine Chemok 22512
8. Edna Chepkemoi 22257
9. Evelyn Chepkoech 23:30.9
10. Janet Cheruto 23427
Junior men 8km
1. Moses Mukono 24:44.9
2. Walter Kipkech 24:54.4
3. Gilbert Kirui 24:58.4
4. Peter Namuria 25:07.5
5. Hillary Langat 25:08.9
6. Fred Kiprono 25:12.1
7. Kibet Koech 25:23.8
8. Philip Ngenya 25:33.2
9. Earnest Ngeno 25:37.1
10. Dennis Masai 26:08.1
Senior women 8km
1. Magdalene Masai 29:52.1
2. Nancy Chepkemoi 29:55.7
3. Purity Cherotich 29:57.7
4. Pamela Lisoreng 29:59.3
5. Phanicier Chemion 30:11.8
6. Gladys Kemboi 30:18.1
7. Joyline Chelangat 30:47.2
8. Rebecca Chesire 31:10.1
9. Delvin Melingor 31:17.6
10. Phylis Kiptoo 32:24.6
Senior men 12km
1. Hosea Macharinyang 37:24.1
2. Hosea Nailel 37:38.0
4. David Maru 37:40.3
5. Geoffrey Kirui 37:50.5
6. Kenneth Kipyegon 38:07.0
7. Richard Ndegwa 38:42.7
8. Walter Kororia 38:50.6
9. Martin Kemei 39:01.3
10. Eric Langat 39:03.2
