L. MathekaKandie, Obiri headline KDF cross country championship
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 03.01.22. | 12:37
The women's race has attracted 78 entrants with the men's set to feature 106 runners, all looking for a ticket to the national cross country championship set for 22 January.
Former half marathon record holder Kibowott Kandie and multiple time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri headline the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) cross country championship set for 7 January 2022 at the Moi Airbase.
As per an entry list seen by Mozzart Sport, the two are expected to feature, as they look to defend the titles they won in 2021, but Obiri remains a doubt. The Olympics silver medalist was set to feature in the 57th San Silvestre Vallecana, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race on New Year's Eve but was sidelined after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19.
Ednah Jebitok shines at the San Silvestre Vallecana as Hellen Obiri misses https://t.co/bJKz81Mle8
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) January 1, 2022
The women's race in 2021 saw Obiri reclaim the title at the competition held at Moi Airbase. Obiri who had lost her title in 2020 to Sheila Chepkurui due to a nagging injury ,took charge of the race from the onset.
The World champion controlled the leading pack, that comprised of Joyce Chepkemoi, Chepkurui , Nesphine Chepleting and Irene Kamais.
Obiri overpowered Chepkemoi and Chepkurui in the last lap to cross the line first in 33 minutes 25.1 seconds. Chepkemoi came in second while Chepkurui completed the podium dash. Chepleting and Kamais finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In the men's race Kandie easily defended his title after leading from start to finish to cross the line in 29 minutes 24.5 seconds ahead of Collins Koros. Erick Kiptanui settled for third position.
Rogers Kwemoi of Central Rift beat Kibiwott Kandie of KDF to win the men’s 10km senior race at the AK/Lotto National Cross Country Championships.
— Athletics Kenya (@athletics_kenya) February 13, 2021
Leading results:
1. Rogers Kwemoi 31:07.3 (Central Rift
2. Kibiwott Kandie 31:05.5 (KDF)
3. Edwin Bett 31:10.9 (South Rift) pic.twitter.com/pIdqFIgDbR
Kandie who set the previous world record in Valencia in December 2020 before transitioning to the full marathon in 2021, in a previous interview said he was focused on the classic distance.
In setting his half marathon record, Kandie slashed 29 seconds off a 58:01 set by his compatriot, two-time World Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor in Copenhagen, in 2019.
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo clocked 57:31 to take one second off Kandie’s mark at the EDP Lisbon Half-Marathon in November 2021.
"It was a challenging season for me and we are planning for the next season. I am happy that Kiplimo broke my record because this is a challenge to all of us. My focus next season is the marathon, but setting new times in half marathon is also in the plan. With good preparation, it is possible for any athlete, including me, to lower the time,” Kandie said in an interview with The Standard after his record was broken.
