Hellen Ekalale and Vincent Langat are the winners of the fifth leg of the Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series, held on Saturday at the scenic Olkalou Arboretum.
Ekalale claimed the women’s 10km race, clocking 35:53.1 to edge out Christine Njoki (36:25.1) and Joyline Cherotich (37:13.1) for the crown.
Fresh off her 5,000m triumph at the NITTAIDAI Challenge Games in Japan on December 1, the 25-year-old attributed her stellar form to rigorous preparation and consistency.
“My condition this year has been exceptional. Winning in Japan gave me the confidence to push hard today,” Ekalale said.
Ekalale clocked 14:45.66 at the NITTAIDAI event, ahead of Tabitha Njeri (14:56.12) and Agnes Mutuku (14:59.73).
Ekalale took control after gauging her body during the first lap.
"After the first lap I saw my body was responding well so I decided to go for the win," she added.
Having already met the 14:50 entry standard in the 5,000m, Ekalale is optimistic about her chances of making team Kenya for the Tokyo games.
"I want to go back to training and do my best to represent Kenya at the World Championships. It would be a dream come true," she noted.
Based in Japan, Ekalale reckons that competing at the World Championships will work in her favour.
"I am used to competing in Tokyo so it will be an added advantage for me. I want to bring gold for Kenya," she noted.
She hopes to work on her speed and improve her mileage in readiness for the 2025 season.
"I want to improve my mileage and improve on my speed to be in top form for the 2025 season," she noted.
Meanwhile, Njoki, noted that she battled through the tough weather conditions to secure second place.
"The race was not easy. The weather was a real challenge but I am grateful I was able to secure a second-place finish," Njoki noted.
She was full of praise for Ekalale's relentless pace throughout the race.
"The pace from Ekalale was too high and I knew that if I kept up with her I would burn out and not finish so I decided to maintain my pace and finish the race," she noted.
Despite limited recovery time after winning the Eldohub Techrun 10km race earlier this month, she expressed gratitude for her podium finish.
"I have not rested enough, I competed in the Eldohub run where I won. I am thankful my body was able to recover in time for today's race," she added.
At the Eldohub race, Njoki clocked 32:35.3 for victory leading Maureen Toroitich (32:53.3) and Christine Chesiro (33:02).
In the men's race, Langat clocked 32:05.2 for victory with Wisley Kipkemoi (32:08.9) and John Lomoni (32:18.4) completing the podium.
Langat showcased resilience and determination, describing the race as intense but rewarding.
“The competition was tough, but I gave it everything to secure the win. The course was challenging but fair, and I’m happy with my performance,” he said.
With his sights now set on the Valencia 10km road race scheduled for January 12, 2025, Langat is shifting gears to sharpen his speed.
“I am preparing diligently for Valencia and hope to fine-tune my pace before then,” he added.
His training partner, Kipkemoi, expressed satisfaction with their strategic approach to the race.
“Our training paid off. We aimed for a 1-2 finish, and I’m glad we executed it successfully,” Kipkemoi said.
Elsewhere, Kelvin Kiprop claimed his second victory in the men's Under-20 8km race finishing in 26:12.2.
Silas Senchura (26:23.3) and Evans Biwott (26:34.5) completed the podium. Kiprop's victory follows his victory from the third leg in Iten where he stormed to a 24:24.6 victory.
Reflecting on the Olkalou race, Kiprop noted he decided to go for victory after the second lap.
"The race was good as well as the course. After the second lap, I saw my body was okay so I decided to go for the win," he noted.
He hopes to work on his hill work to prepare for the sixth and final leg set for January 15 in Kisii.
"I will go back to work on hill work as I prepare for my third victory in the final leg in Kisii," he noted.
Celestine Mantaine claimed victory in the women's Under-20 6km race clocking 23:15.5 ahead of Alice Chemtai (23:23.5) and Sandra Jepchumba (23:36.3).
Elsewhere, in the 2km loop race, Naomi Korir claimed the title in 9:09.6 leading Lilian Odira (9:10.6) and Mirriam Cherop (9:15.4).