ATHLETICS: Ethiopians steal the show at regional cross country

Story by NATION Correspondent
Publication Date: 2/26/2008

Kenyan athletes were humiliated by their Ethiopian counterparts at the East Africa cross country competition in Moshi over the weekend as the perennial rivals clashed just a month to the World Cross Country Championship in Edinburgh.

Ethiopia’s Ahasa Kiros and Bilahum Regassa were crowned new regional champions after they won the women’s 8km and men’s 12km senior races respectively.

The best Kenyans in the two events were Ann Cheptanui and Julius Kiptoo, each settling for fourth place.

Ethiopia were hence crowned the new regional champions, having amassed a total of 46 points against Kenya’s 50.

Uganda finished third.

The result reflects the poor preparations Kenya’s athletes have had largely due to the post-election violence.

“Moreover, they were fatigued after travelling for long periods from their rural homes to Nairobi and then on to Moshi,” said Gideon Chirchir, the team’s head coach.

He said that despite having missed out on the medals, the Kenyan athletes showed they are able to contest when called on short notice.

The team that was in Moshi was hand-picked just a week before the event. “The post election violence had made it difficult for athletes to move around and train, hence their performance in Moshi will be a big effort and commitment,” added Chirchir.

Kiros guided the Ethiopian onslaught to a podium sweep as Kenya relinquished its grip on the women title.

Kiros clocked 27:41.9 minutes to finish ahead of compatriot Amane Gobena (27:43.9) while Mantu Daska took the bronze in 27:44.9 minutes.

Ann Cheptanui was the top ranked Kenyan in the senior women’s race clocking 27:52.4 minutes ahead of Alematu Ahera of Ethiopia (28:01.5) and Eunice Mumbwa (28:13.7).

Home fans

In the men’s 12km race, Regassa was in a class of his won as he led from start to finish, crossing the finish line after 36:32.6 minutes ahead of compatriot Apiyot Girma (36:45.5).

Tanzania’s Jumanne Tnuwayi gave the home fans something to cheer for as he sprinted to the bronze medal in 36:53.0 minutes.

Kenya’s Julius Kiptoo came in fourth, clocking 37:08.7 minutes ahead of Tanzanian Isaya Beengwa (37:14.13).

Other Kenyans - Paul Kimugul (37:21.4), Amos Limakori (37:22.55) and Ezekiel Cherop (37:26.64) - settled for the sixth, seventh and eighth slots respectively.

Juliet Chekwel helped Uganda to a junior women bronze medal finish at the regional meeting.

The event served as a build-up to the World Cross Country Championships and attracted six of the 10 countries in the region.