Asbel Kiprop and Maureen Jepkoech are poised for their second victory as the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country Series heads to Kapsokwony on Saturday.
The duo dominated the season opener at Machakos Teachers Training College last weekend, winning the senior 10km.
Kiprop clocked 32:11.2 to edge out Francis Abong ( 32:14.7 ) and Victor Kipruto ( 32:29.1 ) in the men’s race. In the women’s race, Jepkoech clocked 36:22.9; leading Christine Njoki ( 36:32.2 ) and Esther Chemtai ( 37:13.7 ) to the podium.
National coach Julius Kirwa praised the series as an ideal tune-up for the busy athletics calendar.
“The turnout in Machakos, with over 700 athletes registered, is a clear sign that the momentum is building. It’s great motivation and it gives athletes a valuable chance to assess their form ahead of the Tokyo World Championships trials next year,” Kirwa noted.
However, Kiprop is set to face stiff competition from Naibei Kiplimo, the 2024 National 5,000m runner-up.
Kiplimo brings an extensive resume which includes his second-place finish at the National Championship in May clocking 13:37.08 to trail Daniel Kimaiyo ( 13:33.27 ).
He placed fourth at the Sirikwa Classic early in February clocking 29:27.
His credentials this year include a second-place finish at the African Cross Country Championships in Hammamet, Tunisia, where he clocked 28:41 behind Vincent Kibet ( 28:32 ).
Kiplimo won the 10,000m Challenge in Rishon Letzion, Israel, clocking 27:54.43 ahead of Valentin Gondouin of France ( 28:00.22 ) and Israel’s Bukayawe Malede ( 28:05.02 ).
Last year in June, Kiplimo clocked 3:38.82 for a third-place finish in the 1,500m at the Kenya Police Championships trailing Abel Kipsang ( 3:36.84 ) and Elijah Manangoi ( 3:38.50 ).
Saturday’s action will feature three events: Under-20 men’s ( 8km) and women’s ( 6km) races, the senior 10km races, and a 2km loop for both men and women.
A cash prize of Sh50,000 awaits
the top finisher in the senior 10km
category, while the Under-20 runners will compete for Sh30,000.