Mathew Kipkoech wins at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run
Mathew Kipkoech stormed to victory in the senior men’s race at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, while Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema claimed the women’s title at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting held in Eldoret on Saturday (6). Both athletes mastered a brutal course on Chepsaita’s rolling hills that humbled hundreds of runners across categories.
Chepsaita, whose name in the local language refers to a place where “droplets fall on to the ground”, certainly lived up to its meaning – only this time, it was sweat providing the downpour. The cross-country course sits about 54km west of Eldoret along the Eldoret-Uganda highway, and nearly every winner mentioned just how tough it was as they caught their breath at the finish.
As promised by the organisers, this year’s edition was bigger, more competitive, and undeniably more dramatic.
The senior men’s 10km race drew the day’s largest field with 364 entrants. It was also the fastest and arguably the most competitive, the leaders hitting the first lap counter in 6:34.
Kipkoech, currently world ranked No.3 in cross country, remained patient until the final lap, moving to the front with Kisa Kipserem, Vincent Kimaiyo and Cornelius Konor close behind. The last lap turned into a fierce, exhausted scramble for the line. Kipkoech summoned one last burst to win in 31:49 before collapsing as first-aid responders rushed over. Konor finished one second behind, with Kipserem third in 31:51. The top five were separated by a single second each.
“Last year, I was third in Chepsaita, and I went back to the drawing board with the aim of coming back and improving my performance,” said Kipkoech. “I just put in more effort in training and remained focused. This win means a lot to me.”
The senior women’s 10km featured 175 runners. Faith Cherono led Dorcus Ndiema, Mercy Chepkemoi and Emmaculet Jepkosgei through the first lap in 7:31. Jepkosgei was the first to slip back, followed by Chepkemoi, leaving Ndiema and Cherono stride for stride at halfway.
But the afternoon heat and punishing terrain soon reshuffled the order. Ndiema pushed to the front and held it all the way to the finish, clocking 35:44. Brenda Jepchirchir surged from behind to take second in 36:08, while Cherono, visibly struggling and collapsing after the line, settled for third in 36:39.
Just like Kipkoech, Ndiema was already familiar with the course – an advantage she believes helped her clinch the title.
“Last year, I was in the under-20 category and finished seventh,” she said. “My transition to the senior category has been great.”
Joan Chepkurui, who finished fourth over 3000m at the Kenyan trials for the African U20 and U18 Championships, won the U20 women’s 6km title in 21:34. Kelvin Kariankei took the U20 men’s 8km race in 25:20, winning comfortably by seven seconds.
Before the U20 events, younger age-group races served as curtain-raisers and a reminder of the depth of Kenya’s future talent. Athletics icons Paul Tergat and Beatrice Chebet were among those presenting awards to the children.
Justin Lagat for World Athletics
Leading results
Women (10km)
1 Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema (KEN) 35:44
2 Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 36:08
3 Faith Cherono (KEN) 36:39
4 Christine Komen (KEN) 36:46
5 Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei (KEN) 36:51
Men (10km)
1 Mathew Kipkoech (KEN) 31:49
2 Cornelius Kipkosgei Konor (KEN) 31:50
3 Sammy Kisa Kapserem (KEN) 31:51
4 Vincent Kimaiyo (KEN) 31:52
5 Amos Kiprotich (KEN) 31:53
