The Elgeyo Marakwet dominated the eighth edition of the annual North Rift regional Cross Country Championship held in Lodwar over the weekend.
Five counties, among them Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Samburu and Elgeyo Marakwet participated in the event.
In the 10 kilometres senior women race, Monica Chirchir from Elgeyo Marakwet topped the race clocking 35;05:29. She was closely followed by Judith Korir from West Pokot while Irene Ekiru from Turkana County secured the third position.
Elgeyo Marakwet also took the first three positions in the 8Km junior men race and went on to clinch the first six positions in the 5Km for girls under the age of eighteen.
They also won the 6km girls race, and registered a similar result in the universal relays. The 10 kilometres senior men competition was won by Geoffrey Kiboi from Trans Nzoia County while position two and three went to participants from West Pokot County.
Samuel Lomoi from the host Turkana County came at a distance sixth in 29 minutes and 24 seconds.
The Athletic Kenya Chairperson, Jackson Tuwei thanked the leadership of North Rift counties for organising the event that he said would go a long way in nurturing talents in the region.
He expressed optimism that the selected team would excel past the National level and travel to Lome in Togo where the African championships athletics competition would be held in March.
The County Chief Officer for Education and Sports, Dr. Jacob Lolelea called for more support from the athletics body as he affirmed County’s commitment to nurture talents through investing on sport activities.
The County Executive for Roads and Infrastructure, Benson Lokwang also attended and participated in flagging off the races that were held in the evening.
Others who spoke, included County Chief Officer for Public Service, Gladys Arika, the Sports Deputy Director, Jackson Nakusa and the AK’S North Rift Chairperson, Wilson Mutso.
Also present were Directors James Nateleng (Sports) and Julius Wasama Lokaale (Inspectorate), among other County Government officials who helped in the event coordination.
By Peter Gitonga
