Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto at the Cinque Mulini (© Organisers)
Kenya’s Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto and Uganda’s Loice Chekwemoi are among the up-and-coming stars set to compete at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country – the 11th Gold meeting in this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour – in Chepsaita on the outskirts of Eldoret Town on Saturday (7).
Kipruto, the world U20 cross-country bronze medallist, and African steeplechase champion Chekwemoi will both be competing in the senior 10km races.
Kipruto will be seeking his third consecutive win of the current Cross Country Tour, having won at the Cinque Mulini meeting in San Vittore Olona, Italy, and the Festival du Cross-Country in Carhaix, France.
The 19-year-old will renew his rivalry with compatriot Robert Kiprop, the 2019 African Games 5000m champion, who finished second to Kipruto in Carhaix. Kiprop placed fourth in Chepsaita last year, so will be keen to make it on to the podium this time.
Vincent Kimaiyo, who finished fourth behind Kipruto and Kiprop in Carhaix, is also entered for this weekend’s race.
It won’t be an all-domestic race, though. Djibouti’s Ismael Loukman, fourth in the 5000m at the African Championships, is among the leading contenders from overseas, along with Chinese 10,000m champion Kegu Yang, USA’s 2021 NACAC 800m champion Jonah Koech, Tanzania’s Mathayo Sombi Samhenda and South Africa’s Keaton Stansfeld.
Despite being one of the youngest in the field, Loice Chekwemoi will start as one of the favourites in the senior women’s 10km race. The 17-year-old contested the senior women’s race at this year’s World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, placing ninth, then went on to take steeplechase gold at the African Championships and silver in the same discipline at the World U20 Championships in Lima, clocking a PB of 9:18.84.
African 800m silver medallist Naomi Korir is among the leading Kenyan entrants. The 26-year-old was victorious over 2km at last weekend’s Bomet Cross Country meeting, but this weekend’s 10km event will be a test of her endurance.
Maureen Jepkoech Chebor, who finished second at last month’s Festival du Cross-Country in Carhaix, is another athlete to look out for, along with Nelvin Jepkemboi, Beatrice Miningwo and race walk specialist Silvia Jerono Kemboi.
Tanzania’s Hamida Nassoro Mussa and Ethiopia’s Shimeles Mekides are among the international entrants. Hamida placed eighth in the half marathon and ninth in the 5000m at the African Games, while Shimeles recently finished 11th at Great Ethiopian Run.
World U20 5000m champion Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi headlines the entries for the U20 men’s race. The Kenyan teenager recently finished second in the senior men’s race at the Cinque Mulini.
Kenyan athletes will face strong opposition from a Ugandan contingent which includes world U20 3000m finalist Titus Musau and his compatriot Samuel Kibet, who placed fifth and 10th respectively in Carhaix last month.
The entries for the U20 women’s race include Alice Chemtai, Winny Chepteek, Abigael Chemnagei and Faith Jeptoo, among others. Chemtai and Chemnagei both return to Chepsaita after their podium finishes in three local cross-country races. Refugee athletes will also likely be in contention.
The winding and crocked two-kilometre circuit for the Chepsaita Cross Country is set on natural grassland with seven turns including steep climbs and descends.
“There will be additional water spray stations as December tends to be an extremely dry month,” said race director Barnaba Korir. “However, Kenya is experiencing late rains and it will be interesting to see how that affects the course.
“The course itself is an obstacle with natural obstacles,” he added. “It is actually one of the most difficult courses, but it’s also smooth to ensure the athletes do not get injured. We even have some small obstacles especially for the elite athletes. It's in essence a beautiful course but it's also difficult.”
Apart from the elite senior and U20 races, the competition will promote the spirit of community participation with races for kids aged five upwards, and for senior citizens for those aged 70 and above.
Michelle Katami for World Athletics
