Obiri retains KDF cross country title

Two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri clocked 32:49.50 to defend her Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) women's 10km race at the event held at Moi Airbase (MAB) on Friday 7 January.

The status quo on the podium remained as Joyce Chepkemoi and Sheila Chepkurui maintained second and third place, clocking 33:12.04 and 33:24.01 respectively. 

"It is a good feeling to win my fifth KDF cross country title. It was not an easy race but I was in good form as I have been preparing for New Year's Eve race in Madrid but unfortunately I could not compete. This is a good start to a busy year and I am confident the rest of the season will be better," said Obiri. 

Each of the 13 bases had entered six athletes with Thika and Laikipia fronted as the favourites. The former is home to the 2020 KDF champion Chepkurui and last year's fourth place finisher Irene Kamais.

Laikipia is home to multiple World 5000m champion Obiri and last years cross country runners-up Chepkemoi. 

The first loop saw the field split into two with a leading pack of about 15 athletes that had the likes of Obiri, Chepkurui and Chepkemoi among others. 

By the third loop, the leading pack had been reduced to six athletes, Selah among others unable to keep up with the pace and soon it was a three-horse race as Obiri allowed her teammate Chepkemoi to do the pacing. 2016 Africa 5000m champion Chepkurui was in third place. 

Half way through the fourth loop, Obiri was done playing with the rest of the field and put a 50m distance between her and second-placed Chepkemoi with Chepkurui 20m behind the second placed athlete. 

Obiri's victory came barely a week after she was denied a chance to end 2021 in style at a New Year's Eve race in Madrid by a positive Covid-19 test. She, however, recovered in time for the military event.

Her win was celebrated in style by her Laikipia Airbase compatriots who had a jet fly past the MAB pavilion in her honour, minutes after crossing the finish line.