Team Kenya put on a ruthless run at the World Schools Cross Country Championships by winning 17 of the 18 medals on offer at the Ngong Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Sheila Chepkosgei started Kenya’s medal harvest when she clocked 3:53.2 to win the Under 12 girls’ 1.2km race. In second place was fellow Kenyan, Belinda Chepkorir, who clocked 3:55.1 as Dorcas Chelangat Kemei came third in 3:57.1.
Chepkosgei was delighted to improve her fourth-place finish at March’s national trials at the Nakuru High School.
“I finished fourth at the national trials for this competition and my aim coming here today was to take first place, and I’m glad it happened,” Chepkosgei said.
It was the same script in the boys’ race where Ezron Kimurgor timed 3:43.5 to clinch gold, leading his compatriot, Benjamin Shikuku, who took silver in 3:46.7.
Uganda’s Caleb Kibet clocked 3:48.8 in third to walk away with bronze. The winner admitted he was always confident of collecting his first-ever career medal.
“I had faith in my abilities because our coaches have trained us well in the lead-up to this competition. I am so happy to have won here today and this win encourages me to keep going in my athletics career,” Kimurgor said.
The Under-15 category was equally a Kenyan affair with the country enjoying a podium sweep in the boys’ and girls’ races.
Jane Wangari clocked 7:40.8 to finish first, ahead of Faith Jeptum (7:42.1) and Claire Cheruto (7:43.2) in second and third respectively.
The Kiambogo Secondary School student expressed her delight at flying the national flag.
“It was something we had talked about the night before. We wanted to dominate the race and make the country proud,” Wangari said.
In the boy’s race, Peter Lomuryon timed 10:18.6 to earn gold, Benson Kirongos finished second in 10.22.5 and Dan Kibet came third in 10:33.5.
The Sinoin Boys High School student said he is reaping the fruits of his hard work. “I was second during the trials and I’m glad to have won today. I didn’t get any injury and the training was good at the residential camp,” the Baringo-born and raised said.
The icing on the cake was the Under 18 category where Diana Chepkemoi and Phanuel Kipkosgei were the toast of the day.
Chepkemoi clocked 10:47.8, ahead of compatriots Mary Nyaboke (10:51.4) and Dorcus Chepkwemoi (10:53.4) in second and third respectively.
“The race was good and winning today means a lot to me. I have prepared well for the race and the residential camp helped me. I want to thank all coaches for the support and they always gave me advice on what to do,” the Africa Under 18 2000m steeplechase bronze medalist said.
On his second international assignment, Phanuel Kipkosgei finally won his first-ever medal, clocking 14:39.8 to finish first in the boys’ category. Fellow Kenyans, Kevin Kiprop finished second in 14:43.6 and Nelson Simiren came third in 14:53.4. “I’m going back home to prepare for the World Under-20 Championships national trials where I also want to make the team,” the 17-year-old said.
The global competition was being held on African soil for the second time since 2000 in Marrakech, Morocco.