Lotto were in hand to promote the nurturing and tapping of athletics talent as sponsors of the 32nd edition of the Discovery Cross Country where 3,000 athletes descended on Eldoret Club for exposure and top honours. New champions were discovered as the defending champions were not able to defend their titles on Sunday, January 29th, 2023
The 6km Junior Won’s Race in Action
Nandi’s Maurine Jepkoech won the 6km under 20 women’s title in (21:19.0). Deborah Chemutai (21:27.1) and Miriam Chemutai (21:32.6) placed second and third respectively.
Lotto Ceo Dr Joan Mwaura poses with winners of the senior men’s 10km race
Valencia 10km champion Weldon Langat, who plans to compete at the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Half Marathon next month, won the men’s race in 30:31.2 with Bravin Kiprop placing second in 30:38.1. He relegated world 10km record holder and 2019 Discovery race winner, Rhonex Kipruto to third position in 30:44.1.
Immaculate Anyango, who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county breasts the tape to win the senior women’s 8km race by clocking 27:49.4 ahead of Reline (28:02.3) and Njoki (28:19.9), who finished second and third respectively.
Anyango edged out top-ranking athletes to win in the senior 8km women’s race ahead of the likes of the 2015 All Africa Games 10,000m silver medalist Gladys Chesir, the two times World Indoor champion Burundian Francine Nyonsaba, and Nakuru City Half Marathon winner Catherine Reline among others.
FUTURE STARS CHASING GLORY
The Discovery Cross Country championships had races for kids which included 500m for under five years, 1km for boys and girls aged seven, 2km for boys and girls aged 12.
The competition has produced top athletes in Kenya including two-time world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, 1500m double Olympic and World Champion Faith Chepngetich, 3000m double Olympic champion, and three-time world Champion in steeplechase Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenyan middle-distance runner Daniel Komen, and two-time Olympian in the 10,000m Alice Timbilil among others.
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