Kenyans dominated the 24th International Federation School world cross country championship on Sunday at the Ngong racecourse by scooping 17 out of the 18 individual medals in contention.
Diana Chepkemoi and Phanuel Kipgogei led Kenya’s clean podium sweep in the under-18 categories.
Chepkemoi led from gun to tape to win the 3,400m girls race in 10:47.8, followed by Mary Nyaboke, a distance 2nd in 10:51.4, while Dorcas Chepkwemoi finished 3rd, clocking 10 minutes, 53.4 seconds.
In the boys 5,100m race, Alphonce Kipkogei, who had won the national trials in Nakuru, proved too strong as he led Kenyans to 1, 2, 3, and 4 positions, crossing the finish line in 14:39.8.
Kevin Kiprop won silver in 14:43.6, while Nelson Simiren came home in 3rd place, ahead of Bernard Kikundi, who finished 4th.
Ugandan Japheth Arapsatya was in 5th place, followed by Osama Er Radoumi of Morocco in 6th place.
Naivasha-based Jane Wangari led Kenyans to sweep the top 8 positions in the 2,400M U15 race, clocking 7 minutes, 40.8 seconds, and 0.27 seconds ahead of Faith Jeptum, who finished 2nd, while Claire Cheruto came home 3rd.
Peter Lomuryon emerged victorious in the 3400m U15 boys race in 10:18.6, followed by Bemson Tipapa in 10:22.5 ahead of 3rd placed Dan Kibet, as Kenyans bagged all medals at stake once more.
Sheila Chepkosgei had earlier opened the Kenyan medal hunt in style with a 1, 2, and 3 finish in the 1000m U12 race, cutting the tape in 3:53.2, followed by Belinda Chepkorir with a time of 3:55.1, while Dorcas Chelangat was content in 3rd place in 3:55.1.
In the 1200m U12 boys race, Ezron Kimurgor finished 1st, clocking 3 minutes, 43.5 seconds, while Benjamin Shikuku finished 2nd in 3:46.7, and bronze went to Uganda’s Caleb Chasinja Kibet in 3:48.8.
Kenya also won all team titles in all six races of the day.
The event brought together over 300 students from 19 countries and was attended by President William Ruto, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, and ISF President Laurent Petrynka.
It was the first time the championship was making a return to Africa since Morocco staged it in 2000 in Marrakech.
