Nyandarua County athletes humbled their visitors by bagging all prizes at the Central Region Cross Country, held in Ol Kalou town, Nyandarua County Saturday.
World Half marathon and World Cross silver medalist, Bedan Karoki destroyed a strong field of old and new runners to win the senior men’s race, clocking 29:45.1.
Karoki, who hoped to secure a Team Kenya slot for this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, took an early lead in the 10km race and by the first lap he was well ahead.
“My aim this year is to qualify for the Olympic in 10,000m on track. I have been to two Olympics but did not win a medal. I hope my dream of an Olympic medal will come true this year,” Karoki said after the competition held at the Ol Kalou arboretum.
Monica Ngige led her Nyandarua Counterparts Mary Nyaruai and Veronicah Maina in winning the 10km Senior Women race by clocking 34:16.9 ahead of Joyce Njeru (Kirinyaga) 35:37.4.
Ngige who was dropped from the Kenyan team to World Half marathon said she has moved on from the disappointment and is focused on her future races.
“I have forgotten the disappointment of being dropped from the Kenyan team. I am now focusing on my future races,” said Ngige who mostly participates in road races in America.
The junior women 8Km race was won by Esther Wambui (Nyandarua) while the men’s race was bagged by Ng’ang’a Waweru.
by Anne Sabuni
