Chepkirui eyes more titles after recent impressive performances
World Under-20 1500m champion Purity Chepkirui feels she is up to the task to challenge for junior and senior titles at the global stage this year.
The junior athlete says she is in constant consultations with her coach on how to approach qualifications for the July World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, as well as August’s World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia where she plans to defend her title.
“The senior championship is a long shot which I want to try,” stated Chepkirui. “As the season grows, I will able to know with certainty what I want and then maybe have priorities,” offered the junior who won the women’s Under-20 6km race at the Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Tour at the Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on Saturday.
Chepkirui took the victory in 20:49 ahead of Lucy Nduta (21:09) and Faith Cherotich (21:18).
“I am so happy to win another race. I think this is good progress. I was second here three weeks ago during the national championships, something that made me take more control early in the race,” she added.
Shadrack Chirchir was the winner in the corresponding men’s race.
Chirchir held off Gideon Rono in a close contest for the men’s title, touching the finish line in 23:55. Rono came home seven seconds later with Dennis Kipkirui rounding off the top three places in 24:10.
In the Under-18 events, Ismael Kurui topped the boys’ 6km race in 18:15 with Vincent Kimaiyo (18:16) and Charles Rotich (18:21) taking second and third place respectively.
Joyline Chepkemoi from Lemotit Training Camp timed 18:05 to win the corresponding girls’ 5km race while Maureen Jepkoech was second in 18:14. Pamela Kosgei clocked 18:26 for third place. Malon Kipkorir and Brenda Jerono who are both pupils at St. Mathews Preparatory in Nandi won the boys and girls 1km races.
Kipkrorir clocked 5:1.3 to win ahead of Kelvin Kichumba and Collins Kipkemboi. Jerono led Mercy Jerop and Nancy Jerop for the top three places.
