World Cross Country Medallist Ebenyo, All Africa Games Silver Winner Chesebe Star at Western Region Bingwafest

The World Cross Country Championships bronze medalist Daniel Ebenyo produced a spectacular performance at the Western Region BingwaFest in Mumias on Saturday, January 24, 2026, claiming victories in both the men’s 10,000m and 5,000m races. Ebenyo who is the Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medallist clocked 28:57.1 in the 10,000m race to finish ahead of Robert Kiprop (29:15.1) and Victor Kipruto (29:16.0) in the morning session. He then stopped the clock at 13:54.5 to win the 5,000m race, with Amason Kireu (14:09.0) and Dennis Kipkoech (14:10.2) finishing second and third, respectively. Ebenyo took home KES 550,000 for triumphing in the two races, KES 300,000 for winning the 10,000m, and KES 250,000 for winning the 5,000m. Speaking after clinching the double, Ebenyo said, “This was my first time on the track this year, and it was a nice outing. It is also my first time competing at BingwaFest, and I am happy that athletes are now getting more competitions from such events.” In the women’s 10,000m race, Miriam Kibet narrowly beat Caroline Kariba to first, clocking 33:39.2, with Kariba timing 33:39.5, and Mercy Kipchumba (33:40.1) finishing third. Janet Jepkoech had a strong showing as well, claiming double gold in the women’s 5,000m and 1500m races to take home a total sum of KES 400,000. She started the day with a win over the 1500m, clocking 4:19.2 to beat Naomi Cherono (4:22.9) and Caroline Kariba (4:24.6). The 19-year-old Jepkoech went on to win the 5,000m race in style, clocking 16:26.7 to seal her double for the day. Tabitha Njeri (16:29.6) finished second as Mercy Chepkemoi (16:30.4) came home third. On her part, Jepkoech said: “My target today was to finish in the top three, but my body was responding well, and I pushed for the win. I am very happy to have won two races in my first attempt at BingwaFest.” The men’s 1500m saw Ricky Kipchumba take the win with a time of 3:48.3 as Julius Bayang (3:48.4) and Brian Kiptoo (3:49.9) finished second and third. The women’s 800m race ahead of the 2011 All-African Games women's 800m bronze medallist Sylvia Chesebe went won the women’s 400m race with a time of 56.6, leading Bravian Nelima (57.3) and the World Masters silver winner Grace Kidake (57.5) to the podium. Joshua Wanyonyi won the men’s race as Dennis Masika (48.2) and Kennedy Kimeu (48.5) finished second and third. Emily Jerop (2:09.2) won the women’s 800m race as Chesebe (2:09.5) came home second, followed by Daisy Ruto (2:10.6). The men’s race was won by Noah Kibet (1:49.4) with Nicodemus Kirui (1:50.5) finishing second as Kiptoo clocked 1:52.0 for his second bronze for the day. Richard Ogutu stormed to victory in the men’s 100m dash, stopping the clock after 10.5 seconds, narrowly edging Elkana Sabila as James King’ori finished third. In the women’s race, Brenda Masitsa (12.0) took gold, Lavender Amutavi (12.4) silver, and Kenya Premier League referee Susan Nyambura (12.6) bronze. In the 4X100m relays, Blaze (47.1) finished first ahead of Utawala (48.2) and Kiptere (49.0) in the women's race as Utawala A (40.0) won the men’s race, followed by KDF (40.4) and Utawala B (40.7). Eldoret (3:06.7) team won the men’s 4x400m race, followed by Ultimate (3:13.1) and Southers (3:14.0). Blaze (3:39.4) went on to win the women’s race, followed by Kiptere (3:45.0) and Mombasa (4:15.9). Focus now shifts to the Coast Region chapter set for February in Diani.