Bett, Obiri rule AK Cross County in Nyandarua

Defending champion Emmanuel Bett and the World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri are the champions of the second Athletics Kenya Cross Country event held at the Nyayo Forest Gardens in Ol Kalau, Nyandarua County.

Bett making a comeback from off -season after a not so promising season in the steeplechase clocked 29 minutes, 45.8 seconds to retain his title ahead of Leonard Kirui who came second in 29:47.3, and Shadrack Kimutai who stopped the clock at 29:43.3.

“I had prepared well for this, it’s not by shear lack, I missed the first event in Machakos so that I can retain this title,” Emmanuel Bett told Citizen Digital in the wake of his heroics.

“Next I’m going to kisii in two weeks time before the Police Championship and then the National Trials. My target is to make it to Team Kenya for the World Cross Country Championship,” he enthused.

In the women’s 10km race, world 5, 000 metres queen Hellen Obiri easily beat Beatrice Mutai to take home her first win after the off-season clocking 33:37.3, and Mutai stopping the clock at 33:55.4. Alice Aprot was third in 34:14.0.

“I wanted to see how my body would respond after the break, my target is the World Cross Country Championship in Denmark,”Said  Obiri .

She added: “I’m at 85 percent now and I’m going to kisii before the KDF Championship and then the national trials.”

Gideon Ruto clocked 23:37.4 to win the 8km junior men ahead of Kelvin Biwot in 23:46.0 and Gideon Kipketich in 23:5.5.

“I went to camp straight from school directing all my energy to this event. That is why I think I was perfect,”Rono observed.

The junior 6km race went to Lydia Jeruto, the 800m World Youth silver medalist who clocked 20:26.2 ahead of Dolphine Omari in 20:30.5 and Quarlyne Kiprop at 20:32.3.

“After finishing second at the Chemosus Half Marathon I have been out due to injury, but now I know I’m good, thanks to God”.

The third edition is set for Kisii County on December 15.