Elgeyo Marakwet County will lead five counties from the north rift region to the inter-regional cross-country championships after they came first in today’s North Rift cross country races held at the Kenyatta stadium in Maralal town.
Five teams from the five counties consisting of the North rift including Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia and Turkana participated in track events which included the 6KM and 8KM race for junior athletes both women and men respectively, a 10KM race for senior men and women as well as a mixed rally.
In the 10- kilometer senior men’s category which had 33 participants, Charles Lokir from West Pokot County finished first in 28:31:88 followed closely by Reuben Longesuwun also from West Pokot County with 28:31:89, while Dennis Kipngetich of Elgeyo Marakwet County finished third in 28:35:05.
In the 6- kilometer junior women, Elgeyo Marakwet County took all the podium positions with 20-year-old Dorothy Kimutai finishing first after clocking 19:43:37 followed by Maureen Chepkoech who clocked 19:45:06, while Martha Jelimo came in third after clocking 20:03:51.
In the mixed relay, Elgeyo Marakwet County took position one followed by Trans Nzoia County, Samburu county came in third, while West Pokot County and Turkana County took position four and five respectively.
As a result, Elgeyo Marakwet County emerged the overall winners with three gold medals, two silvers and no bronze, West Pokot came in second with one gold, two silvers and no bronze, at number three was Trans Nzoia County with one gold, one silver and one bronze.
The Samburu County team came in fourth place with no gold, no silver but managed to get four bronze. Turkana County came in fifth place without getting any medal from the respective races.
While addressing the athletes after the race, Boniface Tiren from Athletics Kenya advised athletes against taking traditional herbs since they are considered as doping in the international stage.
By Diana Muthoni and Esther Macharia
