Fully
recovered Chepkemei beats Ndereva in Prisons cross country
By Peter Njenga,
for the IAAF
10 February 2001 - Nairobi - Running at home for the first time since failing to qualify for the Sydney Olympics, the 1999 Rotterdam Marathon runner-up Susan Chepkemei, beat her better known compatriot Catherine Ndereva in the 8km race at the Kenya Prisons cross country championships here on Saturday.
Chepkemei who has been out of serious competition due to injury since mid last year, looped through the 2km circuit with flat stretches and man-made barriers in a mid morning race held under hot tropical heat to post 26 minutes 36.7 seconds.
The race, considered third after the Armed Forces and nationals in term of competition especially in the women category, was held at a Prisons Staff Training College, 30km, north of the capital, Nairobi. Both women works for the Prisons Department
"I am extremely happy with my performance today but local conditions are totally different from the cold, rainy and muddy weather we expect in Dublin," said Chepkemei.
"We shall from now have to sit down and devise a way of beating the Ethiopians who have proven to posses better tactics than us at the world championships," she said.
"In Villamoura I was within striking distance but in a split second moment of indecision, Derartu Tulu and Gete Wami took away the race from me with 200 metres to go. We Kenyans must have a different tactic this year."
The title has been elusive to Kenyan woman since 1994 Hellen Chepngeno's victory, a factor national head coach Dan Muchoki said was worrying.
Ndereva who has settled for the second position in two major local meetings inside two weeks_the last being at the Armed Forces championships_ was however, pleased with her performance.
"She gave me good competition and I didn't see any need to fight her in absence of any other notable opposition," said Ndereva who clocked 27:37.1.
The first Kenyan Olympic gold medallist, Pauline Konga, winner of the 5000 metres silver medal in Atlanta, finished eighth in her long term goal of returning back to the fast lane since having her a second child two years ago.
Richard Mutai won the 12km men's race in 36:02.7 followed by Jackson Gachuiri (36:07.4) and David Makori (36:17.0).
Leading results: Senior men's 12km: 1. Richard Mutai, 36:02.7; 2. Jackson Gachuiri, 36:07.4; 3. David Makori, 36:17.0; 4. John Kipchumba, 36:29.2; 5. Christopher Kandie, 36:35.3; 6. Charles Onsambwa, 36:48.5; 7. John Beingong, 36:51.1; 8. John Kiprono, 36:53.1; 9. Samson Loywap, 36:56.4; 10. Benjamin Bitok, 37:23.8.
Men's 4km: 1. Albert Okemwa, 11:31.6; 2. Narian Lentirangoi, 11:77.2; 3. Joseph Talam, 11:32.4; 4. Simon Leshoboi, 11:40.7; 5. John Lambino, 11:49.6; 6. Edward Koech, 11:55.4.
Women 8km: 1. Susan Chepkemei, 26:36.7; 2. Catherine Ndereva, 26:37.1; 3. Ruth Kutoh, 27:11.6; 4. Gladys Asiba, 27:24.3; 5. Mary Kaitany, 27:32.4; 6. Margaret Okayo, 27:44.7; 7. Judy Kiplimo, 27:49.8; 8. Pauline Konga, 28:07.7; 9. Anastacia Ndereva, 28:08.1.
Women 4km: 1. Edith Masai, 13:04.0; 2. Caroline Kwambai, 13:05.7; 3. Jecinta Muragori, 13:25.01; 4. Grace Misati, 13:38.06; 5. Sabina Wangechi, 13:52.06; 6. Christine Kiptui, 14:10.00.
Men 21 road race: 1. Rogers Rop, 1:02.10; 2. Daniel Too, 1:03.25; 3. Julius Motanya, 1:04.20; 4. Gideon Talaam, 1:04.38; 5. Joseph Mwangi, 1:05.24; 6. Anthony Gitau, 1:05.28; 7. Philip Maswai, 1:06.33; 8. Simon Karanja, 1:06.36; 9. Joseph Losengei, 1:06.46; 10. Joseph Wamenye, 1:06.57.
