John Kibowen wins the 12km race at the 2005 Kenyan Armed Forces cross country championships (© Okoth)
Nairobi, KenyaJohn Kibowen, who won the World Cross Country Championships short race (4km) titles in 1998 and 2000, pulled off a major upset after running away with the 12km title at the Kenya's Armed Forces Cross Country Championships in the capital today (Sat 15).
That Kibowen, who is not an established 12km runner, could pull a fast one on veterans of the terrain like John Cheruiyot Korir, Abraham Cherono and Tom Nyariki seemed to dampen national hopes for the forthcoming World Cross in France on an otherwise warm morning at the Ngong race course in Nairobi's southern fringes.
What was more intriguing is the fact that Kibowen, 35, was just building endurance as part of his training for his specialty - 4km - for the National Championships due next month.
"That is where I am more comfortable. This was just my training race for the 4km race," said Kibowen. " I will run the 4km during the national championships next month because that is where I am more comfortable."
Five-time World champion Paul Tergat, who won the race at last year's Armed Forces championships, but skipped this year's event due to other commitments, was among the spectators. He declined to comment on the race, but disappointment was etched on his face.
Paul Koech, World Cross silver medallist in 1998 and twice fourth-placed (1996 and 1997), was second today after surrendering the lead to Kibowen in the fourth lap in which he outpaced John Cheruiyot Korir and William Chebon. Abraham Cherono, who started strongly and even led in the earlier stages, lost the battle to his war-hardened compatriots and could only finish seventh.
Sammy Kipketer, a consistent campaigner in the men's short course race as well being the reigning Commonwealth 5000m track champion, won the men's 4km race in 12:05 from a strong challenge by Boniface Songok, who followed in 12:13. Churchill Kipsang finished third in 12:20.
WOMEN - Barsosio is in-form
Sally Barsosio, who won the World 10,000m in 1997, took a convincing victory over the women's 8km race.
"My body is responding pretty well to my training programme. I want to see what happens during the nationals before laying out a longer strategy," said Barsosio, whose son Ricky celebrated his third birthday yesterday.
Irene Lemika, who stormed on to the athletics scene a few years ago with some fine steeplechasing, won the women's 4km race in 14:38.
Omulo Okoth (The Standard) for IAAF
Leading results
Men
4km
1. Sammy Kipketer 12:05
2. Boniface Songok 12:13
3. Churchill Kipsang 12:20
4. Josia Matui 12:24
5. Gideon Gathimba 12:40
12km
1. John Kibowen 37:07
2. Paul Koech 37:16
3. John C. Korir 37:32
4. William Chebon 37:41
5. David Chepterit 37:50
Women
4km
1. Irene Lemika 14:38
2. Innes Chenonge 14:48
3. Josephine Wanjiku 14:55
4. Jeruto Cheptum 14:58
5. Mary Wangari 15:00
8km
1. Sally Barsosio 29:29
2. Irene Kwambai 30:10
3. Naomi Mugo 30:34
4. Susan Muthoni 31:04
5. Catherine Mutua 31:32
