Sawe defends Cross Country title, Jebet wins women’s race

Sebastian Sawe has defended his national Cross Country title after clocking 28.38.3 to beat Samuel Chebolei who closely finished second after clocking 28.38.9 in the men's 10km race at Ruiru Prisons ground.

In the women's race, Agnes Jebet Ngetich will lead the Kenyan team to Serbia for the World's Cross Country Championship that will be held on March 30, 2024, after she crossed the finish line 31.50.9 record time.

Seasoned long-distance runner Geoffrey Kamworor was shocked by the youngstars, when the odds turned against him and pushed to finish fourth after Sawe, Chebolei and Gideon Rono who came in third in the 10km race.

Jebet and Emmaculate Anyago said they could have done better under favourable weather conditions.

"The sun is very hot here and it is not easy, you sweat from minute one and that's a challenge," champion Jebet told Citizen Digital.

Positively, all the athletes are bullish that they will raise the Kenyan flag higher in the World Champions in Belgrade, Serbia.

"I am sure we will do better than the last competition, the secret is working hard without stopping or giving up. I am looking forward to winning gold in the championships," said Sawe.

On her part, Anyango who came second after Jebet revealed that athletics is a sport that brings all the communities together.

"When you keep discipline, pray and work hard, you will win it easily regardless of where you come from. My target is to bring that title home," she added.

In other races, Sheila Jebet won the 6km under 20 women after running for 19.30.4 while Samuel Kibathi won the same race in Men's category after clocking 22.37.7.

Virginia Nyambura from the Kenya Police Service took 6.15.7 to win the 2km race as her counterpart Reynold Kipkorir ran for 5.31.8 to win the Men's race.