Fredrick Domongole and Sharon Jerotich bagged the men's and women's titles during the Tinderet Barng'etuny Mountain Run in Nandi County on Sunday.
Domongole, who finished third and fifth respectively in the last two editions clocked 51:48.80 to win the race. He was followed by World Mountain Running champion Patrick Kipng'eno in 54:21.90 while little-known Richard Atuya completed the podium finish after crossing the line in 55:00.60.
"First of all, I'm very happy to win this race on my third attempt. I mustered the course and decided to break away from the rest of the athletes," said Domongole, who trains in West Pokot County.
On his part, Kipng'eno said: "I didn't expect a second-place finish because I have just come from an injury. However, I'm satisfied with my performance. The course was tough and overnight rains made it worse."
Atuya who trains in Longonot said he is targeting to lift the title next year. "This was my first Mountain Running race and I'm happy I finished third. Watch this space next year," he said.
Gideon Kipchirchir (55:37.30), Josephat Kiprotich (55:52.18), and Josephat Kamau (56:11.40) finished fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively.
World Cup champion Philemon Kiriago who was the race favourite pulled out at the 8km mark due to injury.
In the women's category, Jerotich clocked 1:16.57, narrowly beating Hellen Jepkorir to second in a closely contested race. Jepkorir clocked 1:17.05. The third place went to Marion Chepkoech who returned home in 1:17.19.
Jerotich termed her win a miracle. "I have never won any competitive race in my life. I didn't believe it when I crossed the finishing line as number one," said the 23-year-old athlete.
Risper Chepng'etich (1:18.00), Rose Chepchumba (1:18.17), and Ruth Chepkoech (1:18.41) followed in that order.
The top three winners in each event were selected to represent Kenya at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain where Kenya is expected to defend their title.
Winners received Sh500, 000 with second-placed athletes taking home Sh200, 000 and bronze winners got Sh100, 000.
Race host Eric Barng'etuny gave each winner a heifer while the first and second runner-up received a goat and doper sheep respectively.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was the chief guest during the event. Other guests were Head of Civil Service Felix Kosgei, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei, Sports PS Peter Tum, area MP and race Patron Julius Melly among others.