Kipkoech, Ndiema shine as new champions emerge at Great Chepsaita Cross Country
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 06.12.25. | 18:35
For Ndiema, who celebrated her 20th birthday just a day before the race, the triumph carried emotional weight
Mathew Kipkoech and Dorcus Ndiema produced inspired performances to clinch the senior titles at the third edition of the Great Chepsaita Cross Country, a World Athletics Gold Label event, held on Saturday, 6 December in Chepsaita.
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The day also belonged to rising stars Kelvin Kariankei and Joan Chepkurui, who dominated the Under-20 categories with maturity beyond their years.
Kipkoech delivered one of the most thrilling finishes of the day, outlasting Cornelius Konor and Sammy Kapserem in a tight three-way sprint that brought the crowd to its feet.
The 20-year-old crossed the line in 31:49, edging Konor by a single second, with Kapserem just another heartbeat behind.
The Iten-based athlete upgraded last year’s bronze to gold, crediting a year of hard work and clarity of purpose.
“I put more effort after that podium finish and motivated myself to keep going," he said.
Konor, making his senior debut after transitioning from the U20 ranks, said he was proud of his performance in a race he described as unforgiving.
“This is my second time here. The competition was very tough, but I thank God I was able to finish,” he noted.
In the women’s senior 10km race, Dorcus Ndiema delivered a commanding performance, stopping the clock at 35:44 to win by a comfortable margin.
Brenda Jepchirchir followed in 36:08, with Faith Cherono securing third in 36:39.
For Ndiema, who celebrated her 20th birthday just a day before the race, the triumph carried emotional weight.
Missing out on a spot in Kenya’s team for the 2025 World Cross Country Championships in Florida had stung, but Chepsaita offered redemption.
“The win was the perfect response,” the visibly excited youngster offered after returning to Chepsaita for the first time since competing in the U20 race last year.
“On track, I run the 5,000m, and I hope soon I can represent the country at major championships,” she continued.
Jepchirchir, who trains under coach Willy Langat in Keringet, admitted the podium finish surprised her, calling it a result she had “not expected.”
In the U20 men’s 8km, home talent and form four student Kelvin Kariankei thrilled the local supporters with a smart, calculated run. He crossed the line in 25:20, ahead of Emmanuel Kipchirchir (25:27) and Alex Pelor (25:33).
Kariankei, who placed 12th at the national championships, said the lessons from that experience shaped his approach.
“After nationals, I realised I was going out too hard. Today I ran smart with the leading group, then pushed in the final lap, and that paid off,” he reflected.
His training regimen, 10km in the morning and 4km in the evening, also sharpened him for the occasion.
The women’s U20 6km race delivered another breakout star in Joan Chepkurui, who stormed to victory in 21:34. She fended off Mercy Kirwa (21:48) and Fancy Chepkorir (22:07) to win a title she admitted she never expected.
“This is my first time running here in Chepsaita. The race was not easy, and I did not expect to win,” she said.
Even then, her performance showed the strength of her preparation.
“The course was very hard, but I was determined to finish. I had done proper training because I knew Chepsaita is never an easy race,” she concluded.
