Kipruto, Nyaga steal the show at Police Cross Country championships
World 10,000m bronze medallist Rhonex Kipruto and Carolyne Nyaga are the 2022 men and women champions at the Kenya Police Cross Country Championships held on Friday at the at the Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi.
Kipruto representing Police Boarder Unite (PBU), made it special as he won on his debut. He graduated from Kenya Police Training College in December.
“We have a busy season and I will have to sit down with my coach brother Colm O’Connell to strategise well especially missing out on Tokyo Olympics medal owing to a hip joint injury,” said Kipruto.
Kipruto, who is the 10km world record holder capitalized on the late withdrawal of eight-time defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor to win in 30:28.57, the man he replaced at the Tokyo Games.
Kamworor, who was going for his ninth title, withdrew after he sustained a groin injury during his long run the previous day.
Kipruto intends to compete at the Memorial Agnes Tirop World Cross Country Tour on February 12 before turning his focus to the World Athletics Championships on July 15 to 24 in Oregon, United States and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games due July 28 to August 8 in United Kingdom.
“I want to work on my speed ahead of the track season,” said Kipruto.
Michael Kibet was second in 30:28.81 with Josephat Kiprotich taking the final podium position in 30:46.79.
In the women category, 28-year-old Nyaga, from Eastern who finished fifth last year, had her act in place this time around, beating Nelly Cheptoo of Nairobi after a thrilling exchange to win 35:53.44.
She too capitalized on the absence of defending champion Sheila Chelangat did not participate.
The race turned into a two-horse battle in the closing stages with Nyaga and Cheptoo tearing each other.
Nyaga, however, had the final laugh after she waited until the last 200m to sprint out for victory.
Cheptoo, who was competing for the first time since 2018, settled second in 35:58.54 as Rift Valley’s Janet Kiguru come in third in 36:04.43.
“It’s all about patience and discipline. I have never finished in top three since I joined Kenya Police in 2015. It’s a great feeling this morning,” said Nyaga, who gave credit to her coach Bruce Lati for her victory.
“It’s Lati who discovered my talent when I was in form four back in 2014 at Kiriari Secondary School,” said Nyaga, who now hopes her victory will help secure a good management and kitting firm.
“The only support have is from Kenya Police and my coach Lati,” said Nyaga, a fifth place finisher in 10,000m at the 2019 African Games.
