Former World Under 20 champions Reynold Cheuiyot and Purity Chepkurui emerged the winners of the 2 km loop at the 4th edition of the Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour, held today at the Lobo Village, Kapsaret, in Eldoret.
Cheuiyot, who is also the one-mile world record holder in the under-20 category, cut the tape in 6 minutes and 1 second, followed by Phanuel Kosgei and Franklin Mutai, who won silver and bronze medals in 2:02 and 6:04 minutes, respectively.
“I am responding well to training. So far I am happy. From here I will do one weekend meet and then focus on Kipkeino Classic.” said Cheruiyot
Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who was defending his last year’s title, failed to finish the race.
Chepkurui outsprinted 800m national champion Lillian Odira to finish first, clocking 6 minutes and 46 seconds, followed by Odira one second later, while Daisilah Jerono Bor completed the podium positions two seconds behind the winner.
Double Olympic gold medalist Beatrice Chebet finished a distant 34th.
Over 1,000 athletes from over 40 nations are competing in this year’s Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour.
